4-12-2025 (SINGAPORE)The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) airlifted over seven tonnes of essential humanitarian aid to Thailand on Wednesday, December 3, following catastrophic floods that have claimed more than 175 lives in the country. The relief, transported via a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, included vital supplies such as food, water, medicine, and hygiene items, according to a Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) statement.
The aid delivery, coordinated by the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC), underscores the “close and longstanding bilateral defence relations” between the two nations. This comes as severe monsoon rains, tropical storms, and cyclones have triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, pushing the regional death toll to approximately 1,450 people as of December 3. Other nations, including Indonesia and Malaysia, are also grappling with major crises, with Indonesia’s death toll surpassing 600.
Singapore’s government has also focused on citizen safety, recently facilitating the return of 822 Singaporeans from the flood-hit area of Hat Yai. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong commended the swift assistance of Thai and Malaysian authorities in aiding the stranded citizens, as first reported by sources like Reuters and The Straits Times. The Singapore Red Cross has also committed $250,000 to support regional relief efforts.
