Assistance For GSF 2.0 volunteers’ Families To Continue - Zulkifli

JERTIH, May 3 (Bernama) -- Efforts to extend welfare aid and support to the families of Malaysians involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 humanitarian mission are being continued, with assistance tailored to current needs.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the approach is based on ongoing discussions with Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby to assess the type and suitability of assistance required.

“The government and the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) fully support the GSF programme. In previous efforts, assistance had been extended to the families involved.

“This effort is being continued with due consideration to current needs. Insya-Allah, we will provide the best possible assistance,” he said after the handover ceremony of newly built houses under the YAPEIM–Yayasan Sultan Mizan Sinar Lestari Programme at Kampung Tok Dor Dalam here today.

Zulkifli said the government’s priority is to ensure that all forms of aid provided effectively meet the needs of the volunteers and their families.

Zulkifli said that the government remains ready to assist in terms of welfare and financial support, with a comprehensive assessment to ensure the assistance is well-coordinated, effective and reaches the intended recipients.

Ten Malaysian humanitarian activists were among 186 individuals aboard 22 vessels under the GSF 2.0 mission that were intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces while en route to Gaza.

The Malaysians involved were Zainal Rashid Ahmad on board the Arkham III; Osman Zolkifli and Dr Jihan Alya Mohd Nordin (Eros 1); Hazwan Hazim Dermawan, Mohd Hanafi Mohd Salim, Ahmad Musa Al-Nuwayri Kamaruzaman and Norhelmi Ab Ghani (Bianca BCN); Mohd Redzal Amzah (Freia); Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi (Marea); and Mohd Shamsir Mohd Isa (Esplai).

All 10 Malaysians detained in international waters near Crete, Greece, on Thursday were released at Lerapetra Port, Crete, the following day. 

GSF 2.0 is an international maritime coalition combined with global mobilisation efforts aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory.

-- BERNAMA