MERCY Malaysia Monitoring Situations In Affected Countries Following Succession Of Disasters

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 October 2009 – Following the succession of disasters that have pummelled the Asia-Pacific region this week, MERCY Malaysia is on standby and monitoring the situations in the affected countries.

“We will continue to monitor the situations from the headquarters and through our local staff, partners and volunteers in the affected countries. In Vietnam, for instance, we have engaged a local staff to assess the situation and to provide timely updates to headquarters.

“As for Cambodia, MERCY Malaysia Programme Officer Wendy Neoh will be making a routine visit to Kampong Chhnang from 5 – 21 October 2009 and, at the same time, will conduct on-the-ground assessments of the situation,” said MERCY Malaysia President Dr. Ahmad Faizal Perdaus.

“Should the need be great in the other affected countries besides Philippines and Indonesia, we will provide humanitarian assistance provided that we have the capacity and resources,” he added.

However, in response to the recent disaster (tropical storm Ketsana) in Philippines, MERCY Malaysia has deployed a two-member team to Manila to conduct assessment and distribute hygiene kits to the affected communities. In Padang, Indonesia, a three-member team was deployed this morning to conduct on-the-ground assessments.

MERCY Malaysia plans to purchase more medical supplies and hygiene kits in preparation of further emergency response to the affected communities. In order to do this, MERCY Malaysia  is appealing to the public to donate cash to MERCY Malaysia’s Humanitarian Fund.

MERCY Malaysia has allocated an initial total of RM 100,000 from the fund to respond to the disasters in Philippines and Indonesia, each.

Concerned Malaysians can donate to MERCY Malaysia’s Humanitarian Fund through MAYBANK, account number 5621-7950-4126 or CIMB Bank, account number 1424-000-6561053.

For more information, please contact Hana Kamaruddin (Media) at 019-3140420 or G.Anuradha (Fundraising) at 019-2215759. Alternatively, please contact 03-22733999 or visit www.mercy.org.my .