SURINAME-Suriname makes a financial donation to Palestine.

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC—Home Affairs Minister Bronto Somohardjo says Suriname has made history by donating more than US$46,000 to Palestine, acknowledging that transferring the funds to “Gaza is tough.”

The US$46,251.75 was sent through the Islamic Red Cross, and Somohardjo recently undertook a fundraising campaign with various Muslim organizations, including the Platform Gerechtigheid Palestina, Gaza. The funds were collected within three days.

In a symbolic gesture, Somohardjo handed over the cheque to the acting director of the Surinamese Red Cross, Glenn Wijngaarde, adding that the fundraising campaign shows what can be achieved by working together and having good intentions.

He told the ceremony that it had been hoped that the funds would have been transferred to Palestine as quickly as possible, but that did not turn out to be the case.

“Our patience has been tested a bit. We Muslims call that saber. Transferring money to Palestine, Gaza is tough, but we succeeded,” Somohardjo said, adding that he is proud that Suriname has been able to contribute to the Palestine cause.

“It is a drop in the ocean, but for us Muslims, it is important that we help our fellow brothers,” he said, hoping that the fundraising activity will not be the last.

Wijngaarde said that when the Surinamese Red Cross was approached for help sending the funds to Palestine, an approach was made to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.

Wijngaarde described the transfer to Palestine as unique, and like Somohardjo, he said he is also proud as a Surinamese that “we as a country have helped create such an opportunity for the world.”

Suriname is the second Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to send financial assistance to Palestine, the other being Guyana.

Three CARICOM countries – Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago – recently took steps to recognize Palestine as a state as support for Palestinians and to recognize Palestinian sovereignty.

They support the idea of the two-state solution, meaning that Israel and Palestine have the right to co-exist as independent states and as neighbors in The Middle East.