JAKARTA — The conflict that has been raging in Palestine since October 2023 has caused deep suffering for civilians, especially in Gaza. In response to this situation, various parties, including the Khair Yasmin Charity Foundation and the Love Islam Movement (GIC), continue to collect donations to help ease the burden on the victims. On Thursday (29/08/2024), at the Philanthropy Building, South Jakarta, representatives from Amal Khair Yasmin and GIC symbolically handed over a donation of Rp212 million to Dompet Dhuafa.
On this occasion, Ade and Dewi Rustiani representing the Amal Khair Yasmin Foundation, as well as Eddy Aqdhiwijaya representing GIC were present to symbolically hand over the donation received by Etika Setiawanti as Secretary of the Dompet Dhuafa Foundation. The plan is that this donation will be distributed in the form of ready-to-eat food for refugees in North Gaza. Hopefully, this assistance can ease the burden of refugees in Gaza who are affected by prolonged conflict.
“We welcome and appreciate Yayasan Amal Khair Yasmin and Gerakan Islam Cinta (GIC) for their concern for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Currently, the second phase of the donation is being prepared to be distributed to Gaza,” said Etika Setiawanti.
The discussion between the three parties was very warm and full of humanitarian spirit. Etika revealed that the current conditions in Gaza are still very concerning. Continuous airstrikes have caused damage to infrastructure and casualties. Hospitals, schools, and residential areas have also been targeted. Dompet Dhuafa, together with local partners in Palestine, continues to make maximum efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, from the construction of emergency hospitals to the provision of basic necessities.
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Although it has been done many times, the distribution process is certainly not easy. Through local partners in Palestine, Dompet Dhuafa continues to monitor the security of the aid distribution routes and flows. Currently, Palestinian refugees in several refugee camps are experiencing bomb attacks. The latest news is that Nusairat Camp was also bombarded.
The Israeli occupation forces have been relentlessly attacking innocent civilians. Hospitals that are supposed to be places that are forbidden to be destroyed are targeted by Israeli rockets. Even so, Dompet Dhuafa will not stop sending aid. Most recently, Dompet Dhuafa has succeeded in establishing an emergency hospital and providing assistance in the form of generators and renovating hemodialysis units in North Gaza, Palestine.
According to Antara News, the number of Palestinians killed by Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip has now reached 40,265. This data is based on a statement from the Gaza-based health authority, on Thursday (22/08/2024).
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Responding to this, Dewi expressed her gratitude for this collaboration for the umpteenth time. This is the second time for us to donate for Palestine. The spirit is still the same. It may even continue to increase. This can be seen from the number of donations that have been collected twice as much as before. Yasmin and GIC fully trust the distribution of this donation through Dompet Dhuafa.
“We are an extension of the donors to convey this mandate through Dompet Dhuafa for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. Hopefully, it will be a blessing for all of us and of course our great hope is that the conflict in Palestine will end soon so that the people can get their human rights,” said Dewi.
While Dompet Dhuafa prepares the distribution of aid to Gaza, Amal Khair Yasmin and GIC do not hesitate to invite the wider community to get involved in this act of kindness. According to Eddy, much of the involvement in this humanitarian action came from Gen Z philanthropists.
“We entrust this mandate to Dompet Dhuafa. Even though the conditions there are many challenges and obstacles, Dompet Dhuafa does not stop trying. Hopefully, more and more parties will participate in acts of kindness and humanity for our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” continued Eddy.
Not the first, the humanitarian donation for Palestine from Amal Khair Yasmin and the Islamic Movement of Love (GIC) is the second phase after the handover on January 24, 2024. At that time, Dompet Dhuafa together with local partners in Palestine had successfully distributed the aid to Palestinian refugees for five days, starting from May 21, 2024. The aid was in the form of 1,500 meal packages at Dar Al Arqam Camp, Al Naser Street, North Gaza. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Riza Muthohar
Editor: Dhika Prabowo