Insurance, bulletproof outfit, training for Gaza humanitarian mission

All 65 participants of the Umno Welfare Bureau humanitarian aid mission to Gaza would be covered by insurance and provided with bullet proof outfit, besides security and contingency management risk training.

The bureau's chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said Takaful Insurans had offered to sponsor the insurance coverage as part of its corporate social responsibility while a security company offered to provide bullet proof vests, helmets and boots.

The two-day compulsory security and contingency training would be held before the team departs for Gaza.

"Alhamdulillah, this is the first time that an insurance company had offered such coverage, and we are getting Level 3 bullet proof vests that can resist M16 and bombs," he told the media after briefing participants comprising doctors and volunteers, and media practitioners here today.

Also present at the briefing was Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Anwar al-Agha.

Abdul Azeez, who is also 1Malaysia Putera Club (KP1M) president, said the club's fourth mission this time was different because Gaza was being relentlessly attacked by Israel, so security was of utmost concern.

The first team is expected to leave the country on Aug 6 to finalise preparations in Egypt while the second team, on Aug 12 to Egypt before entering Gaza through Rafah.

"Malaysia's Ambassador to Egypt Datuk Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari has personally told us that the letter from our prime minister to the Egyptian president had been received and they, InsyaAllah will give the approval letter for this mission to enter on Aug 13 and leave on Aug 19," he said, adding that the mission would only go when there is a ceasefire.

"If things go smoothly we might even go there earlier. The Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia and our ambassador to Egypt will join and help us in the mission to Egypt and Gaza," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Anwar, who is from Gaza, said no place could be considered safe there at the moment.

"Israel is hitting everywhere. I give you an example, my big family and I live in Khan Younis. Our area used to be safer than the other places, but not anymore. I hope there will be a ceasefire in a couple of days, then the

mission can move freely in Gaza," he said.

He added that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had also instructed him to help coordinate the mission.