Redas sets up solidarity project fund, S$760,000 raised to date

Singapore

THE Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas) has set up a fund to help those in the community most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular those who work in the built environment.

The fund, called the Solidarity Project Fund, is also meant to show "appreciation and care" for Singapore's healthcare workers, said Redas in a news release on Thursday.

The Redas Foundation, which was set up in 2013 to support the underprivileged, will also contribute to the fund.

To date, more than 50 Redas members have pledged S$760,000.

For a start, Redas will donate 200,000 care packs to be distributed to workers in factory-converted dormitories.

A total of 800 standing fans will also be sent to dormitories to help improve the ventilation there.

"Given the large number of migrant workers under quarantine in dormitories, there is great urgency for us to meet their essential needs amid the Covid-19 pandemic," said Redas president Chia Ngiang Hong.

"We hope this collective effort to spread a little kindness to the migrant workers will provide the much needed emotional support to help them ride out this difficult period," he added.

To get this fund started, Redas worked with its partners including the Manpower Ministry, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Building and Construction Authority, the Migrant Workers' Centre, and the Community Foundation of Singapore.

"The migrant workers' community has contributed immensely to Singapore's built environment. We are heartened by the support for them that has been pouring in from all segments of society," said URA chief Lim Eng Hwee.

BCA chief Hugh Lim also thanked Redas for its "demonstration of solidarity and care" for Singapore's migrant workers as the country deals with the virus outbreak.

"We are confident that by working together, private and public developers can provide the support and leadership to the whole built environment value chain which will get us through this challenging period and emerge stronger", he said.