Ten South African delegates are preparing to be fully mission-ready for the April 20 launch date, and need to raise R750,000.
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Global Sumud South Africa is urgently raising R750,000 to prepare delegates for a humanitarian mission to Gaza, aiming to break the blockade and deliver essential aid.
This funding is critical to ensure the delegation is mission-ready by April 20 for the upcoming flotilla, which aims to break the illegal blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, IOL reported.
The flotilla, which is made up of approximately 100 countries, comes after last year’s attempts to break the blockade obstructing the delivery of aid.
The initiative originated with human rights and civil society activists, serving as a platform to express solidarity with the rights of Palestinians and to voice their deep concern over the disregard for international law.
Between 10 and 12 South African delegates are preparing to be fully mission-ready for the April 20 launch date, and need to raise R750,000 to do so.
This amount will cover essential expenses, including flight costs for the delegates, food, transport, necessary gear for their tasks, and various other logistical requirements that are crucial for this smooth and successful operation in the front and back-end.
According to Global Sumud Flotilla South Africa spokesperson, Firoza Mayet, the flotilla will see an increase in participation this year, with over 80 boats sailing between April and May, up from 50 boats from various countries last year.
“People are going to leave from Barcelona and Greece, and the South Africans will leave from Turkey, and everyone will go together towards Gaza, to set up a humanitarian aid corridor. These are ordinary civilians who will be part of this mission, as most governments have not effectively acted to stop Israel, even though South Africa has gone to the ICJ; materially, nothing has happened on the ground.
“People in Gaza are still under fire. The ceasefire has not really taken place.”
Mayet said South Africa is sending about 10-12 people, who will leave South Africa by the 24th, so that they can leave from Turkey around May 1 or 2.
“And for that, we need to raise sufficient funds not only for the humanitarian aid, but also for our delegates to be able to join the rest of the world. We just started raising funds, but we're hoping more people will come on board,” Mayet said.
“I must say already, we have people who are coming on board and saying, yes, we want to contribute and be part of this, even if it is just financially, and can't physically be there. Quite a few ordinary people are coming on board with funds, and so we still have a long road to go to hit our target, but I'm hopeful we will.”
According to Mayet, South Africa has a history of generosity towards humanitarian causes, particularly those that resonate deeply with the nation.
“We've always been part of Palestine, and Palestine has always been part of the South African Struggle against apartheid.
“The key motivation is to ensure that South Africans are part of this delegation; we have not left out due to financial constraints, and not only those who can afford it, but we can send people who are unable to afford flight tickets and accommodation, as well as contribute towards the much-needed humanitarian aid, which will be going to Gaza.”
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