Brussels (Brussels Morning) – A donation camp in Brussels aids Gaza, amassing 500 pallets of donations within two weeks. The initiative, supported by volunteers and the City of Brussels, demonstrates solidarity amidst the Gaza crisis.
The donation camp in Brussels to assist the people of Gaza has already amassed 500 pallets of material donations since unlocking almost two weeks ago.
Why Did Brussels Establish a Donation Center for Gaza?
According to the Brussels Times, The City of Brussels shifted Palace 1 of the Heysel into a donation centre in mid-April due to the “drastic trouble facing the people of Gaza and the multiple reactions from citizens calling on the authorities to demonstrate solidarity.” An appeal was undertaken for organisations and citizens to gather material donations, mainly hygiene commodities, such as nappies or soap, but also milk powder and sleeping sacks.
“Before this, the City of Brussels had already been involved in disasters that had taken place in Turkey, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco and Ukraine by constructing palaces at Brussels Expo available to collect humanitarian aid,” City of Brussels Mayor Philippe Close described.
“We have therefore determined to do the same for the people of Gaza, with Defence and Development Cooperation.” Making Defence a partner in the scheme reassures donors and volunteers about the credibility and prospective delivery of donations to the people of Gaza.
What’s the Progress of the Gaza Donation Campaign?
Not even two weeks later, 500 pallets estimated 130 cm in height have been gathered– the equivalent of 700 tonnes in material goods. “The enthusiasm for this exhibition is great,” Close added. Every day, between 100 and 200 volunteers come to support, putting goods in boxes, plasticising them, and moving the cars into the depot.
“What is happening in Gaza now leaves no one unmoved. People want to help,” stated Caroline Gennez, Minister of Development Cooperation. Since the start of the war on 7 October, around 35,000 people have died and around 75,000 have been injured in the Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Gennez contended that the ministry is in contact with partners in the region and local NGOs to ask what supplies are most needed and what the needs on the ground are.
How Long Will the Brussels Donation Collection Continue?
The collection will operate until Sunday 5 May, and Palace 1 is open every day from 10:00 until 20:00. Additionally, it is feasible to support the Palestinian population by contributing to the CHU Saint-Pierre Foundation (BE32 0689 0234 0002), which will support their medication costs. It has already raised €39,500.
