‘Will not sit on its hands while children starve to death’: Aussie billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest to give $40m in aid to Gaza

Aussie billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has made an emotional appeal to big businesses and philanthropists to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine during his huge aid pledge.

Australian billionaire Dr Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has announced his philanthropy foundation will put more than $40m in funding for aid in Gaza, claiming the foundation “will not sit on its hands while children starve to death”.

Minderoo Foundation’s funding is set to provide an additional $7.3m in food assistance for Gaza through the UN World Food Programme (WFP), with that figure also being matched for World Central Kitchen’s work in Gaza, which funds more than 1.5 million meals.

Minderoo Foundation co-founder Dr Forrest called on the private and philanthropy sector to do more to support those in Gaza.

“Minderoo Foundation will not sit on its hands while children starve to death,” Dr Forrest said.

“We want to see the philanthropic and private sector respond more strongly to the humanitarian needs in Gaza.”

Minderoo Foundation co-founder Dr Andrew Forrest called for an immediate ceasefire. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, with more than 90,000 injured.

The World Health Organisation has reported air strikes and a lack of food, water, medical supplies and fuel have “virtually depleted an already under-resourced health system”.

Dr Forrest called for an “immediate and permanent” ceasefire, noting he admired the work of World Central Kitchen and WFP.

“They are single-minded in their focus of feeding people. We admire their innovation, courage and determination,” he said.

“Like Minderoo, World Central Kitchen and WFP are not afraid to do what it takes to get the job done and this has resulted in them providing so many meals to the people of Gaza.

“The humanitarian needs are huge and will continue once there is a ceasefire. But we need an immediate and permanent ceasefire.”

Palestinian children run as they flee from Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 6 last year. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. Picture: AFP.

An injured Palestinian woman covered in dust and blood hugs an injured girl child at the hospital following the Israeli bombardment of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on November 15, 2023. Picture: AFP.

World Central Kitchen have provided nearly 70 million meals to Palestinians over the last year, having established four field kitchens, a maritime corridor, and created a network of more than 150 community kitchens.

World Central Kitchen chief development officer Tunde Wackman said the partnership will “help fuel (their) efforts to operate with the entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility that has been at the forefront of (their) work”.

WFP has also delivered food in Gaza, including specialised nutritional products for mothers and children.

WFP country director in Palestine Antoine Renard said she’s grateful for the support from Minderoo Foundation.

“We deeply appreciate the support earlier this year, which greatly bolstered WFP’s efforts in Ukraine by aiding communities and farmers in the war-stricken region to rebuild their lives,” Ms Renard said.

“Now the (Minderoo) Foundation is helping WFP to provide critical humanitarian assistance in Gaza, allowing WFP to help the most vulnerable families access food and essential staples such as bread bundles processed through bakeries in Gaza.”

Minderoo Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest said Minderoo is “committed to supporting and empowering those on the ground” in Gaza.

“It is heartbreaking to see the suffering of civilians in Gaza, especially children, who suffer disproportionately as innocent victims of conflict,” Ms Forrest said.

“The work being done by World Central Kitchen and WFP is making an immediate difference to the most vulnerable in Gaza, and Minderoo is committed to supporting and empowering those on the ground making an impact.”

Minderoo Foundation co-founder Nicola Forrest said it’s ‘heartbreaking to see the suffering of civilians in Gaza’. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The move comes amid increased calls for Australians in Lebanon to leave the conflict zone as Lebanon health officials report 37 people have been killed and 151 injured in Israeli air strikes on Thursday.

More than 1300 deaths have been reported since Israel intensified attacks on Hezbollah in late September, with Israel’s military vowing to continue attacks after reporting Hezbollah had launched about 230 rockets from Lebanon on Thursday.

However up to 15,000 Australians are in Lebanon, with only about 2300 registered for evacuation assistance with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as of Friday.

An Israeli air strike hit Khiam on October 4. Picture: Getty Images.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians to leave now.

“Our message to Australians in Lebanon remains – now is the time to leave,” Ms Wong said.

“Please take the first flight option that is available. There is no guarantee of preferred flights or that these flights will continue.”

Two government-supported charter flights are set to take on up to 500 passengers from Beirut to Larnaca, Cyprus, on Saturday.

Ms Wong confirmed Qantas will also be operating two flights from Cyprus to Sydney at no charge to eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with a right of entry to Australia.

The government is also continuing discussions with other airlines to confirm further flights.