Humanitarian aid worth $1million has been packed and loaded in Bahrain and flown to help Palestinians trapped in war-torn Gaza as Israeli bombs continue to bring death and destruction to the strip.
Around 40 tonnes of urgently-needed provisions such as food, medical supplies and equipment, as well as emergency materials used for temporary shelters, should soon be in the hands of civilians caught up in the war.
The aid, collected by the Bahrain National Committee for the Support of the Palestinian People in Gaza, took off from Bahrain International Airport following arrangements made by the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) with Egypt for onward land transportation through the Rafah border crossing.
Organisers also revealed that a fundraising campaign, continuing for the next two months, has raised $17 million.
The nationwide initiative, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF) board chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, is based on the directives of the King.
“Through Rafah Crossing, after arrangements with our Egyptian brothers through Foreign Ministries in both Bahrain and Egypt, this first batch of aid worth $1million will be received by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society,” said RHF secretary-general and National Committee for the Support of the Palestinians in Gaza chairman Dr Mustafa Al Sayed.
“This is partially funded by what we have collected through the telethon on Bahrain Television on Friday. We have worked non-stop in the last 72 hours to assemble the provisions,” he added.
“There will be more supplies on the way depending on what the Palestinians most urgently need.
“We are just getting things started and whatever is necessary will be provided.”
Dr Al Sayed added that Bahrain had always shown support to the Palestinians and this would continue.
“We have funded a prosthetic limbs factory, library, school and medical units, amongst other projects, and the school is now being used a shelter as we speak,” he explained.
He said that he had held talks with officials of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the facilities, up to now, had remained safe.
“It is not just about aid, but sustainability, and our school in Khan Yunis is one of the biggest in Palestine,” said Dr Al Sayed who praised the country’s leadership, in particular, His Majesty, for the direction, drive and determination to do what is necessary.
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