14 January 2010 - A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti yesterday, and tens of thousands of people are feared dead as aftershocks continue to hit the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

Many are feared trapped or buried beneath demolished schools, hospitals and homes, and the international response has been impressive in terms of the rapidity and volume of assistance.

We are currently actively monitoring the situation from our headquarters and via our partner, Merlin (a UK-based international NGO) who are currently on the scene in Haiti.

MERCY Malaysia is currently constrained in terms of funding and personnel. For Haiti, the geographical distance introduces significant logistical costs, which would consume a considerable percentage of funds. As such we are unable to send in staff and/or volunteers to assist the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti in their time of need.

We encourage all Malaysians to show support for the earthquake survivors by channeling your assistance to any organisation of your choice, whichever is currently on the scene at Haiti.

DR. AHMAD FAIZAL MOHD PERDAUS
PRESIDENT OF MERCY MALAYSIA