12 March 2011 – We are monitoring closely the development
of the humanitarian needs resulting from the 8.8-Richter scale earthquake which
struck Japan yesterday afternoon. The earthquake triggered a 10-metre tsunami
which has claimed many lives and swept away everything in its path, including
houses, ships and cars.
Our Rapid Assessment Team, the Emergency Response Unit
and our volunteers have all been alerted to be on standby. Should there be
deployment from MERCY Malaysia, our Rapid Assessment Team will be conducting an
on-the-ground assessment to determine the humanitarian needs within the
affected region.
We are working closely with the Japan Embassy here in
Kuala Lumpur, and have been in touch with the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo,
Japan.
Earlier, we were made to understand that 20 countries in
the region have issued tsunami warnings as a matter of precaution. As of
yesterday evening, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Phillippines have lifted the
tsunami warning.
We express our deepest regret at the news of loss of life
resulting from the earthquake and tsunami and extend our sympathies to the
affected families.
DATO’ DR AHMAD FAIZAL MOHD PERDAUS
PRESIDENT
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About MERCY Malaysia
MERCY Malaysia is a non‐profit organisation focusing on providing
medical relief, sustainable health-related development and risk reduction
activities for vulnerable communities in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
MERCY Malaysia recognises the value of working with partners and volunteers as
well as providing opportunities for individuals to serve with professionalism.
We uphold the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief and hold ourselves accountable to our
donors and beneficiaries. As a non‐profit
organisation, MERCY Malaysia relies solely on funding and donations from
organisations and generous individuals to continue our services to provide
humanitarian assistance to our beneficiaries.
For further information, kindly contact:
Juanita Johari, General Manager, Communications and
Fundraising, MERCY Malaysia
Level 2, Podium Block, City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi,
Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 KL.
T: 6-03-2273 3999, F: 6-03-2272 3812, M: 019-221
5759
E: juanita@mercy.org.my W: www.mercy.org.my
Important Note to Media: Usage of Wordmark MERCY Malaysia
In order to avoid confusion with other organisation(s)
that uses “Mercy” as the organisation’s name or part of the organisation’s
name, please take note that in addressing the name of our organisation, the
wordmark for MERCY Malaysia is with capitalised “MERCY”, followed by the word
“Malaysia”. When describing the organisation, the term “MERCY Malaysia” must
always be used in full, and should not be partially referred to as “MERCY”, or
“Mercy”. Thank you for your cooperation.