HOW COULD MALAYSIAN NGO RAISE DONATIONS AND DELIVER TO PALESTINIANS? (by Nik Zafri)

Disclaimer: This write-up does not list specific NGOs involved, except for officially recognized entities that have confirmed collaborations. Among important issues NGOs must handle are sanctions and banking restrictions, ensuring funds do not go to armed groups, verifying local partners and transparency and auditing of donations.

The author is not affiliated with, associated with, or representing any of the entities mentioned herein in any capacity. The author shall not be held responsible for the accuracy or use of the information provided in this write-up. It is prepared solely for research, awareness, and to encourage donors to exercise due diligence when selecting the appropriate NGO.

Supporting humanitarian causes in Palestine is a noble act. However, it should be carried out through proper, transparent, and lawful channels. While a portion of donations may legitimately be used to support operational costs and humanitarian workers, such expenditures must be clearly documented and compliant with applicable regulations.

Donors are advised to remain vigilant, as some NGOs have come under scrutiny by authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission by virtue of ACA and AMLA for alleged irregularities, including the reinvestment of donated funds or the misuse of donations for personal purposes. Transparency, accountability, and proper governance are therefore essential when contributing to humanitarian initiatives.

MY SUGGESTIONS

Authorities should consider requiring NGOs to formally declare their collaborations, operational partners, and methods of delivering aid to conflict zones such as Palestine. This is important because some NGOs including those operating under religious or humanitarian branding continue to collect donations despite the increasingly complex situation on the ground.

Additionally, new regulations have required humanitarian organizations to provide detailed disclosures about their staff, funding sources, and operational structures, and some NGOs have even faced suspension for failing to meet these transparency requirements.

Given these realities, it would be prudent for authorities to ensure that NGOs conducting fundraising campaigns clearly disclose:

• their official partners on the ground

• the logistics routes or channels used for aid delivery

• verification mechanisms confirming that aid reaches civilians

• compliance with legal and financial regulations

Such measures would help protect donors, enhance transparency, and ensure that humanitarian contributions genuinely reach the intended beneficiaries.

With the escalation of conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, humanitarian access to Gaza has become highly restricted, with border crossings periodically closed and aid deliveries tightly controlled.

1.0 CAN MALAYSIAN NGO RAISE DONATIONS AND DELIVERING AID TO PALESTINIANS?

Malaysian NGO can raise donations and deliver aid to Palestinians, but because of the war, blockade, and political sensitivities, it must follow structured humanitarian channels. Direct delivery by individuals is almost impossible.

Here are the realistic ways NGOs do it today :

2.0 PARTNER WITH NGOs TEAMS IN GAZA

Most Malaysian NGOs do not send Malaysians into Gaza. Instead they work through local Palestinian teams already inside Gaza.

Examples:

• Viva Palestina Malaysia ,

• Muslim Aid Malaysia

It is advisable to request a formal letter or official testimony from an NGO if they claim collaboration with the above entities. Photographs alone may not be sufficient proof, it is always prudent to verify the authenticity of the partnership directly with the respective organizations.

These NGOs collect donations in Malaysia and then their local volunteers distribute food, water, and medical supplies directly in Gaza.

Example of how it works:

• Donations collected in Malaysia,

• Funds transferred to trusted local teams,

• Local teams buy food, water, blankets, etc.

• Aid distributed to displaced families

For instance, one Malaysian NGO reported delivering thousands of food boxes, hot meals, and baby milk through local field teams in Gaza despite ongoing attacks.

3.0 IMPORTANT : COORDINATE WITH WISMA PUTRA

It is advisable to request a formal letter or official testimony from an NGO if they claim collaboration with Wisma Putra. Photographs alone may not be sufficient proof, it is always prudent to verify the authenticity of the partnership directly with the respective organizations.

If an NGO wants to send aid physically, they normally must coordinate with the government.

Wisma Putra ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia ) helps arrange:

• diplomatic clearance,

• coordination with Egypt or Jordan,

• humanitarian corridors

Aid often enters Gaza through the Rafah crossing in Egypt.

4.0 AID via INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS

It is advisable to request a formal letter or official testimony from an NGO if they claim collaboration with the following international entities. Photographs alone may not be sufficient proof, it is always prudent to verify the authenticity of the partnership directly with the respective organizations.

Many Malaysian NGOs also collaborate with larger global bodies such as:

• International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC

• UNRWA Telegram : UN Watch / United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Gaza

• Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

These organizations already have:

• logistics corridors,

• warehouses,

• humanitarian access permissions.

5.0 DELIVERING AID THROUGH JORDAN/EGYPT HUBS

Some NGOs operate logistics bases outside Gaza.

Example method used by humanitarian groups:

• NGO team flies to Jordan or Egypt

• Purchase relief items (food, medicine, winter kits)

• Send to Gaza when border access opens

• Local partners distribute aid

Some Malaysian humanitarian teams already use Jordan as a coordination hub before aid crosses into Gaza.

6.0 TYPES OF AIDS

Because of the blockade, cash donations are converted into local aid, such as:

• hot meals,

• food baskets,

• drinking water,

• medical supplies,

• baby milk,

• blankets,

• temporary shelter materials

For example, Malaysian NGOs report daily meal distribution to displaced families in tents inside Gaza.

6.0 IRAN AND US/ISRAEL WAR

Yes, humanitarian aid now possibly becomes much harder, slower, and more restricted.

The current escalation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has already disrupted humanitarian access to Gaza Strip in several ways.

a. Border crossings may close during escalation

When the Iran conflict escalated recently, Israel temporarily closed crossings into Gaza, including routes used for humanitarian aid and medical evacuations.

This means:

• aid trucks cannot enter,

• foreign aid workers cannot travel in,

• medical evacuations stop

Even large humanitarian agencies must wait until crossings reopen.

b. Some NGOs are being restricted or banned

Israel has also imposed new regulations on NGOs operating in Gaza, requiring detailed staff registration and security checks.

As a result:

• dozens of NGOs risk suspension,

• some international staff cannot enter,

• humanitarian operations slow down significantly

These restrictions can delay or block aid even if donations exist.

c. Aid still goes in but in smaller amounts

Even during heavy conflict, aid normally continues through controlled humanitarian channels:

• UN agencies,

• Red Crescent/Red Cross,

• approved NGOs,

• limited truck convoys

However, the number of aid trucks is far below what Gaza needs. Hospitals are already reporting critical shortages of medicines, fuel, and surgical supplies.

4. HOW NGOs ADAPT DURING WAR

When full access is blocked, NGOs usually switch to these methods:

a) Pre-position aid outside Gaza

• warehouses in Egypt

• logistics hubs in Jordan

b) Use local Palestinian teams already inside Gaza

• distribute food and water,

• operate clinics,

• run shelters

c) Cash-based assistance

• money transferred to trusted local partners,

• they buy food locally if markets still function

5. BANKING, FINANCE AND ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS

Banks operate under very strict Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) regulations.

In Malaysia these are enforced by institutions like:

• Bank Negara Malaysia,

• Financial Action Task Force (international watchdog)

• Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC)

If a bank suspects that funds might indirectly reach an armed group, the bank may:

• freeze the NGO’s account,

• delay international transfers,

• request detailed documentation

• report the transaction for investigation

This sometimes happens even if the NGO has no political involvement at all.

5.1 Sanctions and restricted entities

Some organizations or individuals inside Gaza or the West Bank may appear on international sanctions lists. Countries like the United States and the European Union maintain lists of prohibited entities. If funds pass through any of them, the NGO can face:

• blocked transfers,

• frozen funds,

• legal investigation

This is why NGOs usually work through large humanitarian bodies like

• International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC or

• UNRWA Telegram : UN Watch / United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Gaza

5.2 Cross-border transfer restrictions

Moving money into Gaza is difficult because:

• local banks may not operate normally,

• payment systems may be cut off during war,

• border controls limit physical aid deliveries

Often NGOs will route funds through Jordan or Egypt before they can reach Gaza.

5.3 Verification and transparency requirements

Donors today expect strong accountability. An NGO must be able to prove:

• where the money came from,

• who received it,

• what items were purchased,

• evidence of distribution

Without proper documentation, authorities may question the campaign.

6.0 FRAUD AND FAKE CHARITY CAMPAINGS

Unfortunately, conflicts often attract scammers posing as humanitarian groups.

Authorities therefore monitor fundraising campaigns closely. If the NGO:

• is newly formed,

• lacks proper registration,

• cannot show credible partners

the campaign can be shut down quickly.

CONCLUSION

The devastating humanitarian crisis in Palestine evokes a powerful and noble response from Malaysians wishing to provide aid. While it is legally and logistically possible for Malaysian NGOs to raise funds and deliver assistance, this write-up underscores that direct delivery is almost impossible in the current landscape. Success depends entirely on navigating a complex labyrinth defined by intense conflict escalation, restricted border access, and strict international banking and anti-money laundering (AMLA) regulations.

Consequently, the process demands an exceptionally high standard of due diligence. Well-meaning Malaysian NGOs must operate with absolute transparency, formalizing collaborations with officially recognized entities, be they local Palestinian teams, Wisma Putra, or established international bodies like the ICRC and UNRWA. Donors, in turn, must remain vigilant and demanding, verifying partnerships and insisting on documented accountability. In this challenging environment, the only way to ensure that humanitarian contributions genuinely and lawfully reach the intended civilians in Gaza is through rigorous compliance, verified partnerships, and unwavering transparency.