KUALA LUMPUR – MERCY Malaysia has sent a two-man team to Somalia on 9 January 2012 with the purpose of developing and expanding on-going humanitarian projects in the Horn of Africa.

The two-week mission, led by MERCY Malaysia’s Head of Relief Operations Hew Cheong Yew and joined by Paediatrician Dr Wan Ariffin Abdullah, is a follow-up on last year’s medical and humanitarian response following the alarming rise in the famine situation and its complications such as malnutrition in Somalia.

Last year, Somalia stole the attention of the international community when the drought and famine situation in the country raised concerns that malnutrition, ill-health and starvation reached severe and distressing levels that threatened the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. The situation remains critical and at least 250, 000 Somalis are in immediate danger with many more still in great need of humanitarian aid.

Subsequently, in view of such developments, MERCY Malaysia implemented medical relief assistance projects in Somalia, which among others include the setting up of mobile clinics, a supplementary feeding programme, and hygiene promotion. MERCY Malaysia will also be developing a new project, the Children Friendly Space programme, to ensure that the well-being of children is safeguarded against the current hostile and difficult climate.

The team is expected to arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia on 11 January 2012 and will join MERCY Malaysia’s country team stationed there.

Concerned individuals and organisations can donate to the MERCY Malaysia Somalia 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

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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 noncrisis 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.

Media Contacts:

MERCY Malaysia

Mohd Syazwan Rahimy Bin Mohd Mokhtar, Senior Communications Officer

Nurliyana Fatin Bt Mohd Don Alfian, Communications Officer

Level 2, Podium Block, Citypoint, Kompleks Dayabumi, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

T: 6-03-2273 3999, F: 6-03-2272 3812,

E: syazwan@mercy.org.my/fatin@mercy.org.my 

W: www.mercy.org.my