Singaporean activist and Love Aid Singapore founder Gilbert Goh has provided a harrowing update on the organisation’s food aid efforts in Gaza.
Posting on Love Aid Singapore’s Instagram account on Thursday (5 Dec), Goh detailed the challenges faced by their field kitchens in North Gaza, where acute famine has gripped the population for months.
“Our kitchen in North Gaza took off yesterday amidst a mountain of rubble and misery surrounding the besieged area,” Goh wrote.
He described the area as “utterly destroyed,” sharing shocking photos and videos that highlight the scale of devastation.
According to Goh, “No humanitarian aid is allowed into the north for the past two months, ensuring that a full-blown famine will take place.”
He emphasised the organisation’s commitment to providing relief, stating, “We will try our best to provide relief to this part of the world where very little aid has entered.”
Goh condemned the use of starvation as “a weapon of war,” calling it a violation of humanity.
Despite these grim conditions, Love Aid Singapore remains focused on North Gaza, a key area of their aid efforts.
“Food kitchens, however, are routinely being targeted for bombing raids, putting our aid workers into serious jeopardy,” he revealed.
Tragically, children queuing for food are also not spared.
Nonetheless, the field kitchen continues to serve the starving population.
Goh commended the bravery of aid workers, noting their “daring willingness” to take significant risks while dispensing aid.
In a follow-up update on Friday (6 Dec), Goh detailed the operations of Love Aid Singapore’s food kitchens.
In Central and South Gaza, the number of pots cooked daily has increased from five to seven, with each pot costing US$135 (S$180).
In North Gaza, the kitchen continues to prepare meals using five pots daily.
The food provided is mainly lentil soup, which Palestinians pair with bread.
“It’s basic survival food,” Goh explained, adding that while rice is a better option for winter due to its ability to provide energy and fill stomachs, it remains “almost double in price and difficult to source and cook.”
Despite these challenges, more than 1,000 people benefit from the meals prepared by Love Aid Singapore’s two kitchens.
Operating these kitchens costs upwards of S$2,000 (US$1,493) daily, with payments made in cryptocurrency to navigate logistical constraints.
Goh admitted that providing meals daily is not always possible, particularly in the north, where logistical hurdles and bombing raids present constant risks.
“The kitchen in the north will also move in order to escape possible bombing raids,” he said.
Urging supporters to keep aid workers in their thoughts, Goh concluded, “Please pray for the safety of all our aid workers inside Gaza now.”
