Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishan's Written Reply to Parliamentary Question, 10 May 2021

QUESTION

         Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he can provide an update on the assistance that Singapore has provided to India due to its worsening COVID-19 infections.

REPLY

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The resurgence of COVID-19 cases and evolution of multiple variants poses a global challenge. The virus does not discriminate across language, race, religion, or national borders; it is therefore in our collective interest to help one another because no one is safe until everyone is safe. India has been hit especially hard due to their recent second wave, exacerbated by the emergence of new variants of the virus that appear to be more transmissible. Countries around the world are rallying together to work with India to alleviate the critical situation. India is a close friend and partner of Singapore, and many Singaporeans have families and friends there. Singapore is committed to doing our part to contribute to these efforts.

2 I have been in contact with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and our officials have been working to ensure that our efforts to help would be rapid, targeted, and practical. On 28 April 2021, the Singapore Government sent a consignment of 256 oxygen cylinders to support India’s pandemic response. These were flown directly to West Bengal in India via two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft. There is a critical need for oxygen-related supplies in India, especially in the areas of oxygen storage and last-mile delivery to hospitals around the country. Our modest assistance was aimed at supporting this critical and urgent area of need and we hope that it provided some relief to those battling the pandemic on the frontlines. Singapore was amongst the first countries to send oxygen cylinders to India.

3 In addition, we are facilitating India’s efforts to procure COVID-19 supplies and equipment through Singapore-based entities or by providing transport and logistical support. For example, we are supporting ongoing efforts by the Indian Air Force to airlift cryogenic tanks from Singapore in several batches, and facilitating Indian naval ships coming to Singapore to pick up relief supplies.

4 This has not only been a Singapore Government effort. Many Singapore-based private sector entities and other civil society organisations are also playing an important part in providing assistance to India. For example, the Temasek Foundation has sent urgent relief supplies and essential medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, oximeters and ventilators. It is working with Indian partners to ensure that these are distributed to areas in need. Singapore Airlines has helped to airlift these items to India. Many people and companies have generously reached out and indicated their interest in contributing to relief efforts. The Singapore Red Cross has launched a fundraiser and is currently coordinating contributions from the public and private sector entities. These resources will go towards procuring and distributing the necessary medical supplies and equipment to India.

5 We will continue to work with our Indian friends during this difficult time and explore various avenues to help in areas that we can.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

10 MAY 2021