SINGAPORE - A month-long fund-raising drive by the Muslim community here has raised nearly $1.2 million for people affected by the conflict in Gaza.

All 68 mosques here and the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) collected funds between July 18 to Aug 17 and members of the public also donated online, the Foundation said on Monday. A total of $1.18 million was raised, the largest amount the RLAF has collected for humanitarian efforts in the last 10 years.

The total includes contributions by people of several faiths.

The Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives Singapore, the Catholic Church's social arm for overseas humanitarian aid, donated $10,000 through the inter-faith Harmony Centre.

The first tranche of US$203,100 (S$254,000) has already been sent through Turkey-based international group Kimse Yok Mu, which used it to start distributing food, clean water, mattresses and basic shelter last Friday.

The second tranche of US$205,000 (S$256,000) will fund medical aid, such as buying an ambulance, wheelchairs and first-aid kits, through the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

The remaining funds will be used for longer-term projects in Gaza.