Singaporean activist and founder of Love Aid Singapore, Gilbert Goh, recounted his experience of spending a night in a car park with the displaced individuals in Lebanon in an Instagram post on Wednesday (23 Oct).

The car park, home to approximately 300 people, serves as a temporary shelter for those Goh and his team are endeavouring to assist.

Goh explained that he had missed the last bus home following a late-night food distribution at Saida Lebanon.

Describing the experience, he noted that the freezing temperatures characterised the night, as the location is situated near the Mediterranean seafront, where a strong draft made for an uncomfortable sleep.

To stay warm, Goh borrowed a thin jacket and wrapped himself in two thick blankets while lying on a foam mattress at the side of the car park.

He observed that many of the displaced individuals huddled together under thick, form-less blankets, with most having at least one to keep warm.

Around the middle of the night, a commotion broke out when a woman screamed for attention, causing everyone to awaken and assess the situation.

Goh, a light sleeper accustomed to a familiar sleeping environment, struggled to find rest, waking frequently from the cold rather than any other disturbances.

The consistent draft circulated throughout the open-air car park, exacerbating the discomfort.

As dawn broke at approximately 5 am, people began waking up to wash and prepare for another long day ahead.

When Goh departed around 7.30 am, he noticed that more than 70% of the individuals were still asleep, oblivious to the bustling sounds of early risers.

A few motorbikes roared to life as their riders set off for work, attempting to make productive use of their time.

Urgent Need for Safe Haven Before Winter

Goh mentioned the potential involvement of a charity group that is considering offering shelter for the displaced homeless, although no firm plans had been established yet.

With winter approaching, he expressed hope that these individuals would soon find a suitable place to rest, as conditions are expected to worsen by November.

“Let’s hope that they will get somewhere decent to rest their bodies soon as winter approaches and things will get very difficult by November,” he wrote.

Throughout the night, Goh noted the frequent sounds of coughing and sneezing, raising concerns about the health of the frail individuals with poor diets, who may be more susceptible to illness over time.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amidst Intensified Airstrikes

The escalating conflict and intensified Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon are inflicting a devastating toll on civilians, prompting an increasing number of people to flee to Syria.

Each day, more individuals are displaced, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

On 14 October, evacuation orders were issued for 20 villages in southern Lebanon, with approximately a quarter of the country now under Israeli military evacuation directives.

In response to these orders, many families are seeking refuge in open public spaces, desperately trying to escape the bombings while struggling to find adequate shelter.

The Government of Lebanon has estimated that around 1.2 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing violence, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a resolution to the conflict.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gilbert Goh (@loveaidsg)

SINGAPORE: Winson Khoo Chin Wah, aged 41, a long-time grassroots volunteer, tragically lost his life in a stabbing incident on 21 October 2024 at the void deck of Block 311B, Clementi Avenue 4.

The suspect, 50-year-old Toh Chee Hong, who was known to the victim, fatally stabbed Mr Khoo and later attempted to pursue Khoo’s wife with a knife.

The community was deeply shaken by the incident, with Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Sim Ann, paying tribute to Mr Khoo’s contributions on Wednesday (23 Oct).

According to 8World News, Sim Ann, who is also representing Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, visited the wake twice to offer her condolences to the bereaved family.

In her eulogy, Sim Ann shared that Mr Khoo had been an active grassroots volunteer since May 2017 and had served as the vice-chairman of the  Trivelis Residents’ Network  since November 2022.

She highlighted his dedication to the community, organising numerous events and diligently managing community chat groups, always quick to respond to residents’ queries.

Quoting a message from a resident in the chat group, Sim Ann said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of Winson Khoo. His passing is a significant loss to our community.”

She also expressed her gratitude for his contributions and wished him eternal peace.

Earlier on Tuesday, the People’s Association (PA) confirmed that the deceased was a grassroots volunteer.

While initial reports suggested that the alleged suspect was also involved in grassroots activities within the same network, the PA clarified that this was inaccurate, stating that the suspect is not a member of any PA grassroots organisation.

Friend Recalls Mr Khoo’s Selflessness

A close friend of the deceased, who requested to remain anonymous, described Mr Khoo as a kind-hearted individual who went above and beyond for the residents.

“Even for something as simple as replacing a pipe, he would personally go to the residents’ homes to help. He was loved by many.”

Meanwhile, the accused, Toh Chee Hong, was charged with murder via video link at the State Courts on Wednesday.

If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

The prosecution has requested for Toh to remain in remand for another week, with plans to revisit the crime scene for further investigations.

The judge approved the request, and the case will be heard again on 30 October.

Mr Khoo’s wake is being held at Block 311D, Clementi Avenue 4, and the funeral service is scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 p.m.