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Although the Israeli troops are slowly leaving Gaza, there remains a lot of damaged caused by the attacks for the past few weeks. The Aid agencies estimate that it will cost more than USD2 billion to repair the damage. More than 1,300 Palestinians were killed, more than 5,000 Palestinians injured, 4,000 buildings were destroyed in Gaza and and more than 20,000 severely damaged. At about 50,000 Gazans are homeless and 400,000 without running water. This was the after effect of the three-week conflict which began on the 27th December 2008.

As of now, a total of 50 UN facilities and 21 medical facilities have been damaged. Electricity is available for less than 12 hours a day. The Palestinian Bureau of Statistics estimated that the physical damage so far amounted to about USD1.9 billion, including USD200 million of damage to infrastructure. During the fighting, distribution was hampered by security problems. The UN says basic shortages in the Gaza Strip remain, and prices of food to have risen considerably. UN food agency the World Food Programme (WFP) says the price of chicken increased 23% percent; the price of wheat flour by 45%; the price of peppers by 100% and the price of tomatoes by 500%. On 17 January, the WFP distributed 98 tonnes of food to 800 families in Gaza.

As much as possible, the people in Gaza are relying on monetary and aid contributions at the moment. Although some may question, how is it possible that such a small contribution could help the people in Gaza? Personally, I believe that help or assistance comes in various ways. We could just sit and question the predicament that these people have been put thru. Or we could physically do something to help alleviate the suffering of these victims of war.  

Perhaps the only reason people are skeptical about donating is because they wonder whether their donations will indeed reach the people in Gaza. I personally believe that looking at the track record of the Malaysian Bar Council and and Mercy Malaysia, this donation would indeed through the goodwill of these organizations, reach the promised benefactors of this fund.

I would hereby pledge my support to this cause and would encourage others especially to the members of the Bar to donate as much as possible for the plight of the victims in Gaza.