RM12.7 MIL COLLECTED TO ASSIST GAZA VICTIMS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Collections for the Palestine
Humanitarian Fund has reached RM12.7 million (US$3.44 million) so far, the Lower
House of Parliament was told Tuesday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri said the Fund, initiated to assist
victims of Gaza, was being managed by the Palestine Humanitarian Fund Committee
headed by the Ministry's Secretary General.

"The government had also contributed US$1 million to Medical Emergency
Rescue Committee (Mercy) to provide immediate humanitarian aid to victims of the
Israeli attack on Gaza," said Abdul Rahim when answering Member of Parliament
Ahmad Maslan who wanted to know the amount collected to aid Palestinian victims.

Abdul Rahim added that the ministry would distribute the fund to a number of
non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) identified by the ministry.

"Among the NGOs are Mercy, Yayasan Salam, Yayasan Aman, Coalition of
Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestine, Muslim Care, Peace Malaysia,
Yayasan Wanita Islam and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

"We hope to allocate the funds to the respective NGOs by March 19, so that
victims can receive assistance like medical, food and other basic needs
quickly," he said.

In an answer to another Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ali, Abdul Rahim said
the money would be channeled to Hamas, because it was solely aimed at helping
victims of the war.
-- BERNAMA