Speech by George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Luncheon held on Friday 21 July 2006 at 12.30 pm at the Intercontinental Singapore

Mr. S Dhanabalan: Chairman of The Salvation Army Advisory Board

Colonel David Bringans: Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory.

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am delighted to join all of you today for The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal Luncheon 2006.

2. Let me begin by thanking The Salvation Army for its contribution to Singapore over the years. From its humble beginning in 1935, the Salvation Army has become a well-known charity reaching out to 2300 beneficiaries through 24 social centres everyday.

3. Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere and anytime. Some are natural like earthquakes and the Boxing Day tsunami. Others are man-made like Sep 11 and the conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon. The major events we see on TV and read in the newspapers. There are many others affecting many lives which go unnoticed by the media. Whether reported or not, the Salvation Army is often there helping those who are in need. The Salvation Army today operates in 111 countries around the world. The uniform is well-recognised and its appearance on the scene of a disaster immediately raises hope. Those who wear the uniform are ordinary individuals who have the same cares and concerns as anyone else. But they are individuals who have decided to make a commitment and give time to help other human beings who are in need. Happily, we have many of them in The Salvation Army in Singapore.

4. Singapore has become a relatively developed nation and our people are relatively well-off compared to those in many countries. Because of good government, we do not have destitute people without shelter or unschooled juvenile delinquents roaming the street. But we do have many individuals and families who are in need. Our approach in Singapore is to help them help themselves. Hence our emphasis is on strengthening families and encouraging self-reliance.

5. This is also the approach of the Salvation Army. It looks for gaps in our society to be bridged so that families and individuals who are in difficulty can get on with their lives. Appropriately this year, The Salvation Army has adopted the slogan "Bridging The Gap". Hope Residential Living Area (Hope RLA) which was launched recently is a good example of a gap that The Salvation Army has identified and hopes to bridge, namely the provision of early dementia care. With funding support from Lien Foundation and expertise from Peacehaven, Hope RLA will help many families overcome a tough daily challenge.

6. One gap which The Salvation Army has been able to bridge successfully is the crippling hardship faced by families of individuals in prison. The Kids in PAUS (Play Activities Under The Salvation Army) Programme helps them to live normal lives. This is a programme supported by the Government and other agencies in line with our "Many Helping Hands Approach".

7. Over the years, The Salvation Army has grown with Singapore, re-inventing itself along the way so that it is always able to play an active role in the social services sector. But the Salvation Army is not an abstract entity. It is composed of many volunteers who give time and numerous donors who contribute resources so that those who are less fortunate in our society are given a leg up. They deserve our heartfelt thanks. More importantly, they deserve our full support especially in their good work of "Bridging The Gap".