11 August 2010 - MERCY Malaysia is launching the Pakistan Relief Fund in response to the Pakistan floods that have devastated millions of lives in the past two weeks.

“The tragic flooding in Pakistan threatens the health and well-being of millions,” said MERCY Malaysia President, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus. “With the Pakistan Relief Fund, it will help us in providing support and assistance towards the rebuilding of the health care services in areas that were badly-effected by the floods.”

“Apart from providing humanitarian and medical aid to the flood victims now, we hope to continue assisting the affected communities after the floods subside, especially in the phases of recovery and rehabilitation,” said Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal.

On another note, the MERCY Malaysia team in Pakistan is actively involved on the ground since they arrived on 4 August. According to MERCY Malaysia Head of Relief Operations, Mr Hew Cheong Yew, two static clinics have been established in Nowshera and Charsadda districts to cater for over 3,000 people displaced by the flood, and the number may increase over time. The clinics – comprises a minimum of 1 local doctor and 3 medical staff each – were set up with the collaboration of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA).

“Another MERCY Malaysia team will be deployed to Pakistan on 12 August (Thursday) to continue supporting at the clinics, and to promote and supply hygiene kits to the flood victims as they are susceptible to water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea,” said Dato Dr Ahmad Faizal, adding that the team consists of MERCY Malaysia Programme Officer Mr Saw Yu Shen, accompanied by one MERCY Malaysia’s volunteer, Dr Jitendra Kumar Shantilal N Tejani.

“As there is a shortage of clean water in the flood-affected area, hygiene promotion is very important to educate the communities and individuals so that they are aware of the links between hygiene practices, poor sanitation, polluted water sources and diseases,” said Dato’ Dr Faizal.

“We have allocated a budget for 1,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to affected communities through appointed local organisations, and will conduct sessions to address the hygiene needs of the flood survivors,” he added.

The second team will leave for Islamabad on 12 August 2010 (Thursday) via Malaysia Airlines.

Concerned individuals and organisations can donate to the Pakistan Relief Fund through the following bank accounts:

MAYBANK (account name: MERCY HUMANITARIAN FUND, account number : 5621-7950-4126, ABA Swift Code: MBBEMYKLA), or

CIMB Bank (account name: MERCY Malaysia, account number: 1424-000-6561053, ABA Swift Code: CIBBMYKL).

Donations via cheque are payable to MERCY MALAYSIA.

To donate online, please visit www.mercy.org.my.