Interfaith volunteers rally nationwide support as Singapore steps up humanitarian aid
A rare show of unity unfolded across Singapore as people from all walks of life mobilized to support civilians affected by the war in Gaza, reflecting the city-state’s enduring commitment to humanitarian action beyond its borders.
Nationwide Street Collection for Gaza
About 200 volunteers took to the streets on Dec 20 for the Street Collection for Gaza Relief, a fundraising initiative led by interfaith nonprofit Humanity Matters. Armed with donation cans and “One Nation, One Humanity” stickers, volunteers were flagged off from the Armenian Church on Hill Street by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.
Government Support and Ceasefire Call
Speaking on the sidelines, Gan stressed that maintaining peace and upholding the ceasefire in Gaza remains critical, alongside moving toward reconstruction. He noted that Singaporeans from different races, religions, and backgrounds, including migrant workers and foreigners, have consistently stepped forward to support relief efforts over the years.
International Human Solidarity Day Observance
The event was held in conjunction with the UN International Human Solidarity Day. Before the flag-off, senior interfaith, community, and corporate leaders observed a minute of reflection for the Bondi Beach shooting and ongoing humanitarian crises across Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
Interfaith Unity and Public Response
Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, chairman of Humanity Matters, said the strong turnout reflected Singapore’s collective conscience. He emphasized that how societies respond to crises defines their humanity, adding that it was heartening to see volunteers from diverse backgrounds united to ease suffering in Gaza.
Singapore’s Humanitarian Contribution
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the government contributed $1 million as seed funding to support public fundraising efforts. The funds will be evenly distributed to the Singapore Red Cross, Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, Humanity Matters, and Mercy Relief. This marks Singapore’s 11th tranche of humanitarian assistance since October 2023, bringing total aid to over $25 million.
Sustained Aid and Logistics Support
Humanity Matters said fundraising will continue until February 2026 and that it is prepared to scale up assistance as more borders reopen. Between November 2023 and August 2025, the group delivered more than 84.4 tonnes of relief supplies into Gaza. Corporate partner Pacific International Lines has committed up to $1 million in logistics and shipping support under a three-year partnership.
The street collection highlighted how government backing, corporate partnerships, and grassroots action can converge to address one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian crises. For communities across Indonesia and Singapore, the effort underscores the power of regional solidarity and sustained engagement in responding to human suffering beyond national borders.
Sources: Yahoo! News SG (2025) , Asia One (2025)
Keywords: Gaza Humanitarian Crisis, Singapore Aid Efforts, Humanity Matters, Gan Kim Yong, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
