PricewaterhouseCoopers Raises RM30k for MERCY Malaysia through Business Continuity Conference

MERCY Malaysia receives a boost from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) through the handover of funds generated from the jointly hosted Business Continuity Conference held in November 2009. A total of RM 30,000 was raised through the event, entitled “Tomorrow Happened Yesterday”, to further support MERCY Malaysia’s local projects on risk reduction.

“This handover event also signifies a renewal of friendships to explore future collaborations,” said PwC Malaysia’s Executive Chairman, Dato’ Johan Raslan.

Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus (left) receiving the cheque from PwC Malaysia’s Executive Chairman Dato’ Johan Raslan

The one-day conference, held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, was attended by over 40 professionals. Focused on helping organisations to prepare for a disaster before it happens, the participants were given training by a team of practitioners with hands-on experience in disaster preparedness and crisis management.

Renowned speakers include Anders Laukvik from the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team, Datuk Peter Wentworth (OBE) of CEO Solutions Partnership, formerly the CEO of BP Malaysia, and Ong Ai Lin, PwC Malaysia Senior Executive Director who leads PwC’s Business Continuity Management services.

“We have been very fortunate to have PwC with us through thick and thin in developing our organisation’s human resources capacity. Monetary funds are always welcome, but what PwC has done for MERCY Malaysia is more sustainable and has a long-term impact on us as an accountable organisation," said MERCY Malaysia’s President, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus.

The relationship between MERCY Malaysia and PwC goes back to 2007 when the medical relief society needed to enhance its governance and control framework. At that time, improvements were made to meet the standards set by the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), a governing body for humanitarian work based in Geneva.

PwC worked on a pro-bono basis and conducted a workshop for the MERCY Malaysia’s management team on sustainability and capability building. The efforts bore fruit when MERCY Malaysia secured its HAP certification – a first in Asia – within the same year.