JAKARTA — The attention to the genocide in Palestine carried out by Israel continues. Until this article was published on Saturday (23/3/2024), the massacre has been going on for almost 6 months. However, this has not stopped the global community from paying attention to Palestine. Aid has been pouring in, including from the Indonesian Psychology Association (HIMPSI).
HIMPSI decided to help their brothers and sisters in Gaza, Palestine by collecting donations from its members. The donations collected were then entrusted to Dompet Dhuafa to be distributed to the Palestinians, through Dompet Dhuafa’s programmes.
Until now, Israel’s brutal attacks on Palestine have caused 85 per cent of Gazans to flee with a lack of water, food and medicine. This has become Israel’s silent weapon to kill more people in Gaza, Palestine.
Read also: Standing with Palestinians, Wetcode and Sammora Hand Over Humanitarian Donation to Dompet Dhuafa
The condition of our brothers and sisters in Palestine is getting worse due to the mass starvation that occurred in the month of Ramadan 1445 AH. Around 300 thousand are still trapped in North Gaza and forced to consume food to survive. Even so, the holy month of Ramadan is still special for them. Masha Allah.
In addition to the material loss, of course, this has other long-term impacts, such as psychological loss. According to Al-Jazeera, this poverty is a factor in trauma and other mental illnesses. Around 90 per cent of Gazans have personal trauma. Among them, 53.5 per cent of children experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
HIMPSI Chairman Andik Matulessy revealed, since the Israeli attack on 7 October, his party opened a donation programme entitled ‘HIMPSI Cares’. The programme was shared through HIMPSI social media. He invited members and the general public to contribute to ease the burden on the people of Gaza.
The donation totalled IDR 38,144,462 (thirty-eight million one hundred forty-four thousand four hundred sixty-two rupiah). Andik and HIMPSI entrusted the donation for Palestine to Dompet Dhuafa on Friday (22/3/2024) at Philantrophy Building, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.
Read also: Alhamdulillah, KAMI. Medical Services Arrived in North Gaza Palestine Through Dompet Dhuafa
Andik hopes that the collaboration between HIMPSI and Dompet Dhuafa will not stop with the donation for Palestine, but will expand to other humanitarian causes.
‘This is not just a political issue, but a humanitarian issue. It’s a shared responsibility. With this, HIMPSI stands with the Palestinians. Hopefully Dompet Dhuafa can continue to be trusted by the community in distributing donations to the Palestinians,’ said Andik.
General Manager of Zakat Infaq and Sadaqah (ZIS) Collection, Ahmad Faqih S, appreciated HIMPSI for contributing together in helping the Palestinians. He explained that, to date, Dompet Dhuafa is trying to provide the primary needs of the victims. Such as food and drinks, medicines, and sanitary napkins for women in Palestine.
‘Even in the absence of war, Dompet Dhuafa will be committed to helping the people of Gaza deal with the long-term impacts of the Israeli attack, including the current famine,’ said Faqih.
Until now, Dompet Dhuafa has managed to distribute donations in the form of staple food for residents in three points in the Gaza Strip. Among them are in the Rafah border area, Khan Younis City in the Southern Gaza Strip and Deir Al-Balah City in the Central Gaza Strip. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Photo: REMO Dompet Dhuafa
Editor: Dhika Prabowo