Donate to convoy of hope to Palestine

Email source from "Azra Banu"
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Donate to convoy of hope

http://www.nst. com.my/Current_ News/NST/ articles/ 13gaz/Article/ index_html

2009/11/12

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza left homeless by the Israeli invasion late last year face a bleak winter.

Their homes remain in disrepair and they need warm clothing, food and medical supplies to see them through the cold weather.

Viva Palestina Malaysia, formerly known as the Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against the Persecution of Palestinians, is trying to raise RM106,000 to purchase two trucks filled with clothing, medical supplies and food to join a convoy from London to Gaza.

Viva Palestina secretary (executive committee) Azra Banu said Malaysia has been invited by British lawmaker George Galloway, who is active in Viva Palestina UK, to take part in the 250-vehicle convoy to Gaza scheduled to depart on Dec 6.

They hope to arrive in Gaza on Dec 27, the first anniversary of the Israeli attack. The two Malaysian lorries will join the convoy in Istanbul, Turkey.

Azra said several non-governmental organisations such as the Islamic Medical Association Malaysia, Palestinian Centre of Excellence and the Muslim Professionals Forum Bhd had already pledged RM30,000. Viva Palestina also hopes for a contribution from the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is the patron of the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund.

Viva Palestina chairman Adnan Mohd Tahir said the convoy is not only meant to help the people of Gaza, but to break the illegal siege imposed by Israel.

The blockade of raw materials was imposed two years ago when Hamas took power in Gaza. And because of this, said Azra, the people of Gaza have been unable to rebuild their homes.

According to the United Nations and Palestinian estimates, about 1,400 people, many of them civilians, died in the December offensive.

About 20,000 people were made homeless and some 3,500 homes were destroyed.

Another 2,800 homes were badly damaged and around 53,000 others sustained minor damage.

If you wish to donate, please deposit it into the Muslim Professionals Forum Bhd Maybank account number 5-64324-333558 or call Azra at 016-209 4500/603-6201 7015.

"We need to send the money to Viva Palestina UK before Dec 5," added Adnan.