Indonesia's alms agency targets US$46mil for Gaza reconstruction


A tent camp for displaced Palestinians is set up amid destroyed buildings in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip on Jan 4, 2025. - AP

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s National Alms Agency (Baznas) aims to collect and mobilise Rp750 billion (US$46 million) in charitable funds to reconstruct a range of public facilities in Palestine, including hospitals, schools, and mosques, reported Antara news agency.

"In order to build public facilities properly, we require an estimated budget of Rp750 billion," remarked Nadratuzzaman Hosen, Head of National Digital Transformation at Baznas, as cited in the agency's statement on Friday (Jan 31).

He highlighted that Baznas had been actively delivering humanitarian aid to Palestine, noting that as of Tuesday (Jan 28), a total of 45 trucks transporting relief goods that the agency collected from Indonesian people had entered Gaza through the Rafah Gate in Egypt.

The official expressed hope that the ceasefire agreed upon by Palestinian Hamas freedom fighters and the Israeli occupation forces would last, thereby allowing the philanthropic agency and similar institutions to distribute aid more conveniently.

"God willing, we will carry out rehabilitation and reconstruction processes in Gaza during the ongoing ceasefire. We hope that this ceasefire will be permanent so that we can rebuild Gaza more freely," he stated.

Hosen also emphasised the importance of utilising the ceasefire to address the urgent needs of Gaza residents for water and food.

"Baznas will remain committed to its work in Palestine, executing our mandate to distribute the funds we have collected. We have been collaborating with trusted partners to ensure the accurate and successful delivery of aid," he stressed.

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In addition to sending relief goods, he said that Indonesia's Baznas is ready to grant scholarships to Palestinian students keen on pursuing their studies in the country.

"We are ready to provide a scholarship to those interested in studying in Indonesia or other countries. Last year, the Lampung Branch of Baznas granted a scholarship to several Gaza students at the University of Lampung," he noted. - Bernama- Antara

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Indonesia , Baznas , Palestine , reconstruction , aid

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