*As per IRAS regulations, the donations are NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE as they are for foreign charitable purposes.
18 September – 13 December 2024
Humanitarian Aid for Gaza 2024
Permit No. 0062/2024
1,900,000
41,000
14,100
194,190
Donate has closed on the 13 December 2024.
Why can't we donate to RLAF outside the period of donation?
It is because the permit we obtained from the Commissioner of Charities (CoC) is only applicable for the campaign date (18 September - 13 December 2024).
Humanitarian Aid for Gaza 2024
The Rahmatan Lil Alamin (Blessings to All) Foundation (RLAF) is launching a fundraising appeal to provide critical aid for children and families affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza. This aid focuses on delivering essential health, relief, education, and medical supplies.
The fundraising will be conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), and a local organisation, Humanity Matters (HM). This is also the first time RLAF is partnering multiple organisations for a fundraising appeal.
Impact of Escalating Gaza Crisis on Children & Their Families
The ongoing crisis has displaced approximately 1.9 million people, with 1.7 million confined to just 48 km², resulting in a population density of 35,416 people per km². This severe overcrowding poses risks to children’s health and safety, increasing their vulnerability to infectious diseases and exacerbating challenges faced by their families.
The lack of adequate space and sanitation facilities poses the risk of disease outbreaks and impedes children’s access to basic needs. Insufficient sanitation further exacerbates the risk of disease and hinders children’s well-being. Access to clean water remains a critical issue, posing significant health risks. Approximately 194,190 children have been screened for malnutrition, with a notable increase in the number admitted for treatment. Educational services have been severely disrupted, with close to 524 schools damaged or destroyed, affecting the education of thousands of children.
Third Fundraising Appeal for Gaza
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the innocent victims of this ongoing humanitarian crisis and their families. In line with this, RLAF will be conducting a third fundraising appeal spanning nearly three months from 18 September 2024 to 13 December 2024, providing Singaporeans a means to contribute to this humanitarian cause.
This effort will employ a multi-model approach via online donations, collections at mosques, and street collection. The funds raised will support (and not be limited to) the procurement of vital supplies such as food, water, medical aid, and sanitation for the affected communities in Gaza.
As part of a collective effort, this appeal will also rally our Singapore community to volunteer in packing the procured goods and participate in the street collections at designated times and locations. More details on street collection and packing exercises will be shared in due course.
UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
FAQs
Q1. Who is UNICEF and what does the organization do?
UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund, working in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere.
One of the world’s largest providers of vaccines, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, quality education and skill building, HIV prevention and treatment for mothers and babies, and the protection of children and adolescents from violence and exploitation. Before, during and after humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF is on the ground, bringing life-saving help and hope to children and families.
Q2. Who is Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization and what does the organisation do?
The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) is a relief and humanitarian organization established in 1990. It operates to provide aid in response to conflicts and natural disasters worldwide.
JHCO has played a crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance to over 34 countries. Their efforts include supplying food, medicine, and essential supplies, often in collaboration with international organizations and the Jordanian Armed Forces. They are particularly involved in providing continuous support to Gaza through air and ground convoys, ensuring aid reaches the most affected areas despite challenging conditions.
Q3. Who is Humanity Matters and what does the organisation do?
Humanity Matters (HM) is a Singaporean humanitarian interfaith organisation. It is established as a collaborative and collective vehicle which runs on common values for common good. HM strives to catalyse and realise regional cooperation for humanitarian relief and sustainable civic development, to serve disaster-prone, disadvantaged and vulnerable communities across Asia. HM consciously engages the community and faith sectors to put collective compassion in motion. To date, HM has responded to typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunami and volcanic eruption in Indonesia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines and Turkey.
Q4. What will each partner organization do with the funds raised, and how will they benefit those in Gaza?
Part of the funds that is contributed to UNICEF is received through UNICEF’s own bank accounts and is channeled towards the implementation of UNICEF services in the Fields – in this case, to cover the UNICEF Gaza Field’s delivery of immediate humanitarian assistance in response to the current hostilities, which includes but is not limited to providing safe drinking water, treatment for severely malnourished children and medical supplies for children in hospitals and shelters, and other life-saving items.
JHCO will be instrumental in the procurement and delivery of critical relief items to support children and families affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza. This includes sourcing and distributing essential goods such as food, medical supplies, and hygiene products, ensuring that these vital resources reach the most vulnerable populations . With their established presence in the region and partnerships with local and international organizations, JHCO is equipped to navigate logistical challenges, making sure that relief efforts are timely and impactful, particularly for children and families facing dire conditions.
Humanity Matters will play a crucial role by procuring essential relief items and mobilizing local communities in Singapore for a large-scale packing exercise. This effort will bring together volunteers from various faith-based organizations, including churches, temples, mosques, and madrasahs, as well as institutions of higher learning, fostering a spirit of interfaith and community collaboration. The packed supplies will then be delivered to Gaza through commercial shipments, ensuring timely and efficient transportation of these much-needed resources to the affected areas.
For this RLAF Humanitarian Aid for Gaza 2024, donations are directed into the areas of delivering essential health, relief, education, and medical supplies for children and their families affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Q5. Why is RLAF partnering with three different organizations for this campaign?
RLAF carefully selects its partners based on their good records, credibility, expertise, and ability to make a significant impact on the ground. By collaborating with multiple organizations—such as UNICEF, JHCO and Humanity Matters—we leverage their strengths as well as ground knowledge. Partnering with organizations that specialize in different aspects of humanitarian relief maximizes our efforts and ensures that the resources we provide are used in the most effective way possible.
Q6. When is the period of donation?
The donation period will be held from Wednesday, 18 September to Friday, 13 December 2024.
Q7. What will the donation be allocated for?
The donation will be used for delivering essential relief aid which includes food, health, sanitation, medical supplies and education. The funds raised may be used (and not limited to) for procurement of vital supplies such as food, water, medical aid and sanitation for the affected communities in Gaza.
Q8. Why can’t we donate to RLAF outside the period of donation?
It is because the permit that RLAF obtained from the Commissioner of Charities (CoC) is only applicable for the campaign date.
Q9. What is the process to fundraise for this fundraising appeal?
In this fundraising appeal, we follow a meticulous process to ensure transparency and accountability with the donations received:
- We firstly obtained the necessary permit from the Commissioner of Charities (CoC) to raise the fund.
- After getting the permit, we would only then begin the fundraising appeal.
- All monetary donations would then be carefully consolidated and recorded after the campaign period.
- We would then commission an external auditor to certify the donations for the campaign to ensure all transactions are accurately and properly recorded. The report would be sent to the CoC.
- Following the audit, we will disburse the funds to our 3 partners, UNICEF, JHCO and HM who will be providing on-the-ground assistance to the affected communities in Gaza.
- These partners will also provide us with a comprehensive and regular updates of their on the ground efforts as well as detailing the utilization of the funds.
- RLAF would also conduct monitoring visits with our partners to assess the impact of our relief efforts and ensure the funds reach the affected beneficiaries.
Q10. Why is this campaign lasting longer than previous fundraising campaigns for Gaza?
RLAF will be conducting a third fundraising appeal spanning nearly three months, giving our community extended time to access and contribute to this vital humanitarian cause amidst the ongoing crisis. The longer duration allows for broader outreach, deeper community involvement, and more meaningful contributions, encouraging greater participation in this collective effort. Your ongoing support is crucial in making a lasting impact.
Q11. When will the funds reach Gaza?
The funds will be transferred immediately after all collections have been collated and accounted for. It is also subject to clearance from the CoC to ensure good governance and accountability.
Q12. How are the supplies distributed to the beneficiaries and are there any issues in doing so?
UNICEF’s primary focus is to ensure life-saving supplies reach children in need such as winter clothes, blankets, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) supplies, medical supplies including vaccines, hygiene kits, health kits, paediatrician medicine, food supplies including RUTF (Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food) and bottled water, other nutrition supplies and education support.
UNICEF’s measures to safeguard supplies include careful planning of supply movement and close coordination with service providers and implementing partners to ensure that supplies reach children as quickly as possible.
Q13. When and where will the street donation drive be held?
RLAF plans to do a street donation conducted in specific areas in Singapore. The date and time of the street donation are yet to be determined. The purpose is to rally Singaporeans to contribute in this humanitarian cause. Please stay tuned for updates, which will be available on our website and social media soon.
Q14. How can I volunteer in this effort?
There are two key ways you can contribute as a volunteer in:
-
- Promote the fundraising campaign among your families and friends.
- Assisting with the packing of essential aid.
- Participating and promoting in street collection activities.
Stay tuned for further updates, which will be shared on our website and social media platforms soon.
Q15. What is the minimum amount for donations?
There is no minimum amount of donation except if you are to donate via Giving.sg and Donate Online to RLAF which sets a $10 minimum amount.
Q16. What are the platforms and methods available for donations?
- PayNow – key in RLAF’s UEN 200910530ZRLA and indicate ‘GAZAAID2024’ under remarks (Refer to Annex A for QR Code)
- Donate Online to RLAF – campaign at tinyurl.com/aidgaza2024
- SG – campaign at tinyurl.com/gazaaid2024
- Interbank transfer via RLAF (Rahmatan lil Alamin Foundation) – transfer to OCBC Current Account at a/c no: 601313315001, or
- Issue a cheque payable to RAHMATAN LIL ALAMIN FOUNDATION LTD. State at the back of the cheque: Donor’s name, contact number and indicate GAZAAID2024. Mail your cheque to RLAF (Masjid Yusof Ishak, No 10 Woodlands Drive 17, Level 4, Singapore 737740)
Q17. What is GivePlease?
GivePlease is our new donation platform, offering a simple and secure way to support our cause. With its user-friendly interface and seamless integration into our website, GivePlease ensures a smooth donation experience. Trusted by leading organizations, the platform provides government-grade security to protect donor privacy. Donors can also use Singpass for quick and secure onboarding, simplifying the donation process like never before.
Q18. How does RLAF ensure the donations are properly collected and audited?
In this fundraising appeal, we follow a meticulous process to ensure transparency and accountability with the donations received:
- We firstly obtained the necessary permit from the Commissioner of Charities to raise the fund.
- Upon approval, RLAF will commence the fundraising campaign.
- All monetary donations would then be carefully consolidated and recorded after the campaign period.
- We would then commission an external auditor to certify the donations for the campaign to ensure all transactions are accurately and properly recorded. And the report would be sent to the Commissioner of Charities (CoC).
- After the audit, we would remit the funds to all our beneficiaries based on the agreement.
- The beneficiaries will then provide us with a comprehensive written report detailing the utilisation of the funds.
- RLAF would also conduct monitoring visits for due diligence to assess the impact of our relief efforts and ensure the funds are utilised accordingly.
Moreover, the donations are collected through approved crowdfunding platforms, including Giving.sg and RLAF’s own direct donation platform. Both platforms are designed with robust security measures to ensure the safety and protection of your contributions.
Q19. How does RLAF ensure the funds and essential aid reach the children and their families in Gaza?
RLAF works closely with trusted international partners, including the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), Humanity Matters (HM), and UNICEF, to ensure that the funds and essential aid reach the affected communities in Gaza. Our partners on the ground provide regular updates, including detailed reports and photographs, to verify that the aid is being distributed effectively. Through these partnerships, we are able to monitor the impact of our support and ensure that the aid reaches the children and families who need it most.
Q20. Will receipts be issued for my donations?
Non tax-deductible receipts will be issued upon request via rlaf@rlafoundation.org.sg. As per IRAS regulation, these donations are not tax-deductible as they are donations for “foreign charitable purposes”.
Q21. Can our donations be considered as Zakat?
All contributions are not considered as Zakat but as donations.
Q22. I donated online but forgot to indicate “GAZAAID2024” under remarks. Will my online donation still be accepted for this fundraising campaign?
Yes. Your online donation will still be accepted for this fundraising campaign provided the donation is submitted during the stated fundraising period.
Q23. Does RLAF accept in-kind or item donations for this campaign?
We seek your understanding that RLAF does not accept in-kind or item donations for this campaign.
Q24. I have wrongly transferred and I would like to request for a refund.
For accountability and transparency, we seek your understanding that we will not be able to do a refund.