Aussie billionaire announces $18 million in aid for Gaza as 'children starve to death'
Andrew Forrest's charity has announced new funding for food, sanitation and water, as he calls on Australians to do more to help prevent famine in the region.
An Aussie billionaire has announced plans to donate US $12.5 million ($18 million) to Gaza in an effort to address critical food, water and sanitation problems as the Hamas-Israel war continues to displace and kill civilians. Dr Andrew Forrest said the charity he founded with his then wife Nicola will not sit back "while children starve to death”.
The Minderoo Foundation has now pledged US$28 million (A$40.8m) in aid to the region since October 2023, with the organisation now focused on preventing famine, and providing sanitation and safe drinking water.
"We are one of few philanthropies in Australia giving to the humanitarian needs in Gaza. We want to see the philanthropic and private sector respond more strongly to the humanitarian needs in Gaza,” Forrest added.
What triggered the recent conflict escalation?
The escalation in hostilities was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters breached Israel’s border and indiscriminately massacred civilians, including the elderly, women and children. Approximately 250 hostages were taken, including 30 children. Dozens of cases of rape were also reported, however Hamas, which is listed as a terrorist organisation in Australia, has denied the latter.
"Ever since the unprovoked and completely unjustified attack on Israel by Hamas, Minderoo Foundation has been in direct conversations with aid agencies on the ground to assist those unwittingly caught up in the resulting humanitarian crisis,” Forrest said.
Ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas have failed to result in a ceasefire. Hamas has refused to return the hostages, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to completely destroy the terrorist group.
Dozens of nations including Australia, New Zealand and Canada, have called for the fighting to stop as the civilian death toll mounts. Thousands of people around the world, including inside Israel, have protested against the ongoing war.
Where will the money be donated?
The new investment includes a commitment on Friday to give US$5 million (A$7.3m) to World Central Kitchen. The charity, which has delivered close to 70 million meals to the region, became the focus of international attention after its convoy of aid workers was bombed by Israel, killing seven staff including Australian Zomi Frankcom. An additional US$5 million will be given to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for its food assistance program.
“Minderoo Foundation will not sit on its hands while children starve to death,” Forrest said.
An additional US$2.5m (A$3.6m) will go to the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA), UNICEF and local groups for water and sanitation infrastructure. The money will be used for water tankers, solar powered desalination units and water wells, and sewerage pumping equipment.
The extra funds were announced after meetings Forrest held in New York last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
According to charity Médecins Sans Frontières, which provides direct medical support in conflict zones, around 90 per cent of Gaza’s population has been forcibly displaced by the conflict. It estimates 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 92,000 injured.
Minderoo co-founder Dr Nicola Forrest said money was being used to deliver humanitarian aid swiftly.
“Our focus has centred on filling the gaps that our partners on the ground tell us exist. We are backing innovative, pragmatic solutions that will hopefully alleviate the suffering of innocent people, especially children,” she said.
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