ID :
99324
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 15:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/99324
The shortlink copeid
M`SIAN AID TEAM TO GAZA RETURN HOME SAFELY
By Massita Ahmad
SEPANG (Malaysia), Jan 11 (Bernama) -– Nine Malaysians who were part of the
largest Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy, arrived home safely Jan 10
afternoon.
The four members of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation, four Bernama TV
crewmen and a representative of Yayasan Al Bukhari made up the 450-member
convoy.
The Malaysian team, which was led by Matthias Chang, arrived at the Kuala
Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 2.05pm.
“Thank God for his blessings and grace. None of us was injured. Thank God
for
giving us the strength to fulfill our mission for a complete success,” Chang
told reporters upon arrival at the KLIA.
Earlier, their journey to Gaza was long delayed and exhaustive.
After weeks of delay, the contingent members were finally allowed to enter
the besieged Palestinian enclave with more than a million dollars worth of
medical, food and educational supplies for its people.
“We were determined not to return home until and unless we entered Gaza and
delivered the aids to Gaza. That, we have accomplished,” he said.
Malaysia donated four trucks of humanitarian aid and an ambulance vehicle
worth
100,000 pounds to the Gaza Elwafa Hospital.
“The journey itself is not very difficult, but what was most difficult was
the waiting in between various stops. Of course, we were not on a holiday. Some
of the stops were camps and it was very rough.
“Having led a life where personal hygiene is observed, (just imagine) living
in
camps where not everything was available.
“At times, we slept in open camps. The wind was very chilly but the
spirit within us to succeed in the mission, kept us spiritually warm to overcome
whatever difficulties.”
Chang described the Malaysian team as "very united, determined and
dignified".
Organisation chairman and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and
wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali were among those present at the KLIA to
welcome the Malaysian team.
On Dr Mahathir, Chang said: “Whenever there were difficulties (during the
journey to Gaza), Tun’s aid and support through phone calls were very assuring
to many members of the convoy.
"Besides Dr Mahathir, efforts by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the
prime minister, sending all the notes to various counterparts in Egypt and the
Red Cresent had alleviated some of the most difficult problems that the convoy
members encountered."
The Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy which began its long journey from
London on Dec 6, last year, crossed the Rafah border into Gaza, early Thursday
(Jan 7).
About 150 vehicles of the total 220, filled to the brim with humanitarian
aid, are now in the hands of Palestinians living in Gaza which has been under
seige by the Tel Aviv regime.
Israel imposed a crippling siege on the Gaza strip after the Hamas regime
took full control of the territory in June 2007.
-– BERNAMA
SEPANG (Malaysia), Jan 11 (Bernama) -– Nine Malaysians who were part of the
largest Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy, arrived home safely Jan 10
afternoon.
The four members of the Perdana Global Peace Organisation, four Bernama TV
crewmen and a representative of Yayasan Al Bukhari made up the 450-member
convoy.
The Malaysian team, which was led by Matthias Chang, arrived at the Kuala
Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 2.05pm.
“Thank God for his blessings and grace. None of us was injured. Thank God
for
giving us the strength to fulfill our mission for a complete success,” Chang
told reporters upon arrival at the KLIA.
Earlier, their journey to Gaza was long delayed and exhaustive.
After weeks of delay, the contingent members were finally allowed to enter
the besieged Palestinian enclave with more than a million dollars worth of
medical, food and educational supplies for its people.
“We were determined not to return home until and unless we entered Gaza and
delivered the aids to Gaza. That, we have accomplished,” he said.
Malaysia donated four trucks of humanitarian aid and an ambulance vehicle
worth
100,000 pounds to the Gaza Elwafa Hospital.
“The journey itself is not very difficult, but what was most difficult was
the waiting in between various stops. Of course, we were not on a holiday. Some
of the stops were camps and it was very rough.
“Having led a life where personal hygiene is observed, (just imagine) living
in
camps where not everything was available.
“At times, we slept in open camps. The wind was very chilly but the
spirit within us to succeed in the mission, kept us spiritually warm to overcome
whatever difficulties.”
Chang described the Malaysian team as "very united, determined and
dignified".
Organisation chairman and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and
wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali were among those present at the KLIA to
welcome the Malaysian team.
On Dr Mahathir, Chang said: “Whenever there were difficulties (during the
journey to Gaza), Tun’s aid and support through phone calls were very assuring
to many members of the convoy.
"Besides Dr Mahathir, efforts by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the
prime minister, sending all the notes to various counterparts in Egypt and the
Red Cresent had alleviated some of the most difficult problems that the convoy
members encountered."
The Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy which began its long journey from
London on Dec 6, last year, crossed the Rafah border into Gaza, early Thursday
(Jan 7).
About 150 vehicles of the total 220, filled to the brim with humanitarian
aid, are now in the hands of Palestinians living in Gaza which has been under
seige by the Tel Aviv regime.
Israel imposed a crippling siege on the Gaza strip after the Hamas regime
took full control of the territory in June 2007.
-– BERNAMA
