Forrests donate $10m in humanitarian aid to help Gaza
The Fortescue chairman says the people of Gaza are suffering, and the funding – which matches the federal government’s pledge – will help avert the rapid acceleration of a tragedy.
Andrew and Nicola Forrest have donated $10 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, matching the federal government’s commitment.
The funding from the pair’s philanthropic arm, Minderoo Foundation, will be provided to United Nations agencies and Médecins Sans Frontières.
The Fortescue chairman said the people of Gaza were suffering greatly, and the funding would help avert the rapid acceleration of a humanitarian tragedy.
“I don’t mind if you’re Israeli or Palestinian. What we all agree is that innocent children, mums and dads, should be as protected as we possibly can throughout this crisis,” he said in a video statement.
Dr Forrest has previously made large commitments to Ukraine following the Russian invasion, earlier this year pledging $US500 million towards the rebuild of the nation through the Ukraine Development Fund.
He said the latest aid to Gaza was aimed at helping civilians who want nothing to do with the war.
“We will try and step in whenever we see things going really wrong in the world and we are saying that innocent civilians are going to really suffer here, let’s get in and help them as quickly as we can.
“We did it with Ukraine. We will do it with Gaza. We are very much of the view that innocent people must be protected in any militarised politics.”
The Forrests earlier this year announced they had formally separated, although they continue to work together.
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