Singaporean activist and founder of Love Aid Singapore, Gilbert Goh, has provided a sombre update on the plight of infants in Gaza.
Through the organisation’s Instagram account on Monday (25 Nov), he detailed the exorbitant costs of essential items for children, underscoring the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing aid blockade.
According to Goh, a small can of infant milk powder now costs US$35, while a bundle of diapers is priced at US$30.
In central Gaza, these prices are even higher, with milk powder costing US$28 and diapers reaching an astonishing US$67.
Other necessities, such as children’s clothing and shoes, are equally unaffordable, with a combined set costing US$58 and shoes alone priced at US$41.
Before the war, a can of infant milk powder was available for US$10, and diapers were significantly cheaper.
The steep price increases reflect the devastating impact of the ongoing blockade, which has also spurred a thriving black market.
However, most residents cannot afford the inflated prices, forcing them to save their limited resources for emergencies.
The situation has worsened in central Gaza as displaced residents from the besieged north have crowded the area, driving prices even higher.
In some instances, the cost of high-demand items such as diapers now surpasses that in the north.
Cooking costs are similarly exorbitant, with a single pot of vegetarian food costing US$240 on average.
In response to the crisis, Love Aid Singapore has sponsored milk powder for over 40 malnourished babies in the north and provided clothes and shoes for 105 orphaned children, many of whom were previously seen barefoot while collecting food.
As part of its “Rebuild Gaza” initiative, Love Aid Singapore has also been investing in education.
In collaboration with a local tent school, the organisation has distributed salaries to 23 teachers, supporting three field schools with six classrooms that serve nearly 2,000 Palestinian children.
Each teacher received US$200, a modest sum compared to salaries in Singapore, but a crucial lifeline for those dedicated to educating children in dire circumstances.
Goh praised the honour and sacrifice of these educators, who continue to teach despite immense challenges, offering children a rare sense of normalcy amidst the chaos.
“What they lack in adequate financial returns is compensated by a life filled with meaning and richness in spirit,” Goh said, emphasising the resilience of the teachers.
He expressed hope that classroom time would provide Palestinian children with a temporary escape from the horrors of war, which has now entered its 14th month.
Love Aid Singapore has prioritised educational initiatives in Gaza and Lebanon, recognising the transformative impact education can have on war-torn communities.
Goh reiterated the organisation’s commitment to expanding its funding for education while praying for a ceasefire to end the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Goh also expressed gratitude to those supporting the organisation’s orphan sponsorship programme, which costs S$80 (US$60) per month per child, and reaffirmed the transition of Love Aid Singapore’s humanitarian efforts to a new NGO.
