TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has pledged to donate NT$15.5 million (US$500,000) to support a 10-month medical cooperation program in Gaza, Palestine, beginning this month.

The central government signed an agreement in late October with the International Medical Corps, a US-based humanitarian organization headquartered in Los Angeles, the foreign ministry said.

Through the program, IMC will procure medicines and medical supplies from neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt and deliver them to Gaza to help vulnerable civilians affected by the ongoing conflict gain access to essential medicines and basic healthcare services.

Earlier in October, Taiwan also partnered with the World Central Kitchen, founded by Spanish chef Jose Andres, to contribute US$200,000 toward the “Chef for Gaza Initiative.” The initiative has established two large field kitchens in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis in Gaza. 

The project works with local restaurants and chefs and has created over 50 community kitchens, producing about 300,000 meal boxes daily to provide food assistance to vulnerable Gazans.

The foreign ministry said the government has long cooperated with international NGOs experienced in humanitarian relief across the Middle East, embodying the spirit of “Taiwan Can Help.” It said that the compassion of the Taiwanese knows no borders and reaffirmed its commitment to working with global partners to uphold its international responsibility in caring for those affected by conflict in the region.