As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the Rahmatan Lil Alamin (Blessings To All) Foundation (RLAF) has launched a crucial fund-raising campaign to relieve children and families in the war-torn region. The Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation was established in 2009 by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) in 2005.
The Singaporean Muslim Community created RLAF to share compassion and kindness with the poor, the needy, and disaster victims. The foundation has received tremendous help from the Muslim community in Singapore, which has enabled it to support various humanitarian causes.
RLAF has been a strategic long-term partner for UNHCR in Singapore for many years and has strongly supported the displacement cause. Through its fundraising efforts, RLAF has supported UNHCR operations in Syria, Yemen, and Bangladesh, among others.
RLAF has also participated in UNHCR field visits to its operations in Bangladesh, Lebanon, and Jordan to understand better the work it supported, engage with refugee families, and observe the impact of its funding on affected communities. In the coming years, RLAF plans to collaborate with UNHCR on a more global front, focusing on extending its support to UNHCR and the displacement caused in regions beyond Asia and the Middle East, such as Africa.
The Rahmatan Lil Alamin makes a difference
The foundation’s latest effort in Gaza will focus on delivering food, water, medical supplies, healthcare services, and educational support. It began on February 24 and will run until April 6.
“While the ceasefire heartens us, we recognize that further aid is still urgently required,” RLAF said in a statement.
Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which have been at war since October 2023, agreed to a six-week ceasefire in January. RLAF works with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the Local Organization Humanity Matters.
It is also coordinating fund-raising activities with M3@Towns, which is participating in its SG60 community initiative. M3 is a tie-up between the self-help group Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council.
The activities include distributing Ramadan porridge, breaking the fast in the community, distributing Ramadan bento meals, and hosting events at Ramadan bazaars throughout Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s commitment to humanitarian aid extends beyond fund-raising. In February, the Republic of Singapore Air Force transported nine tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The supplies were from the Ministry of Health and non-governmental organization partners, Relief SG, Mercy Relief, and Caritas Humanitarian Aid & Relief Initiatives Singapore.
Aside from delivering aid, planners from the Singapore Armed Forces accompanying the mission also assessed the needs and feasibility of contributing in other ways to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza, such as the potential deployment of medical teams.
In the same month, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad visited Cairo to explore areas for further collaboration between Singapore and Egypt, particularly in medical assistance, to support the humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
Millions in dire need
Since Israel’s military operations began in response to the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, the humanitarian toll has been staggering; 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced.
More than 1.7 million are confined to just 48 sq km. This has led to extreme overcrowding and a public health catastrophe, with threats from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, hepatitis and polio, putting children two years old and younger particularly at risk.
Most of Gaza’s children have already lost access to quality education. Damage to at least 534 schools is setting back the education of the enclave’s 658,760 school-aged children by up to five years, the RLAF statement said.
Be a part of the change
From March 7 to 14, all mosques across Singapore will have Aid for Gaza 2025 donation boxes. Donations made under this campaign are eligible for a 100 per cent tax deduction under the Overseas Humanitarian Assistance Tax Deduction Scheme.
Members of the public can also make their donations via the following avenues: PayNow – key in RLAF’s UEN 200910530ZRLA and indicate AIDFORGAZA2025 under remarks, GivePlease – head to tinyurl.com/aidgaza2025, Giving.sg – campaign at tinyurl.com/gazaaid2025, Interbank transfer via RLAF – transfer to OCBC Current Account at a/c no: 601313315001, or issue a cheque payable to RAHMATAN LIL ALAMIN FOUNDATION LTD.
At the back of the cheque, you are required to state the donor’s name and contact number, indicate AIDFORGAZA2025, and mail your cheque to RLAF (Masjid Yusof Ishak, No. 10 Woodlands Drive 17, Level 4, Singapore 737740)
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches a boiling point, every donation to RLAF’s Aid for Gaza 2025 campaign is a lifeline that can help turn the tide. It provides hope for those drowning in despair and lights the way for a brighter future.