The Israel-Palestine conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and approximately 1.4 million displaced persons.
Amidst this humanitarian crisis, the list of countries committed to providing aid to Palestinians continues to grow. The latest aid announcement comes from the Canadian government.
On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the Canadian government announced it would provide aid totaling 60 million Canadian dollars, or approximately Rp697 billion (assuming an exchange rate of Rp11,629 per Canadian dollar).
"It is crucial that Palestinian civilians in Gaza who need assistance receive it as quickly as possible. Canada will continue to work with trusted and experienced humanitarian partners to ensure this funding reaches those suffering," said Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a press release on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
Previously, during the period of October 8-18, 2023, several other countries announced similar aid, namely the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Japan, Ireland, and the United States.
In total, from the beginning of the war until Saturday, October 21, 2023, at least 12 countries have announced aid for Palestine, with a total aid value of approximately Rp4.5 trillion.
Several other countries have also reportedly sent aid, such as China, India, Pakistan, and Spain, but the amounts have not been officially announced.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israel has opened the Rafah crossing (the border between Gaza and Egypt) since Saturday, October 21, 2023, allowing aid supplies that were previously unable to enter to now begin reaching Gaza.
However, the supply of aid allowed through this crossing is severely restricted.
"On Sunday, October 22, 2023, the Rafah crossing was opened for a second time, allowing the entry of 14 trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies. This is equivalent to approximately 3% of the average daily volume of commodities entering Gaza before the war," OCHA stated in its report on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
"Overcrowding (in displacement camps) and shortages of essential supplies have fueled tensions among displaced persons, as well as reports of gender-based violence," it continued.