Although the waters have receded in Johor, MERCY Malaysia has not stopped providing aid to its community. During the worst days that warranted rescue and relief efforts, we conducted mobile clinics that made available primary healthcare to thousands of those affected, while distributing hygiene kits containing the basic necessities that were crucial at that point.

And now, MERCY Malaysia is working with Johor’s local authorities to formulate a sustainable recovery plan that will enhance preparedness for future catastrophes. As written by our president, Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, in an article that was published by the New Straits Times (15 Jan 07) and Utusan Malaysia (17 Jan 07), “There is a need to focus on increasing the resilience of these affected communities and reducing their vulnerability.”

In line with our Total Disaster Risk Management strategy, MERCY Malaysia has stepped up to the challenge and will carry out training-of-the-trainer for local government authorities, academicians, teachers, volunteers and staff members of MERCY Malaysia on flood preparedness through a flood situation assessment and sustainable recovery programme from the 21st to the 25th of February 2007.

Additionally, a town-watching exercise will be carried out that will include disaster mapping, that is the identification of potential risk areas as well as the planning of evacuation routes and centres, on the 22nd and 23rd February 2007 conducted by our invited guest and expert, Dr. Yujiro Ogawa. Dr. Ogawa is a Professor of the Department of Environment and Disaster Research at Fuji-Tokoha University. He is also the former Executive Director of the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) in Japan and has a PhD in Civil Engineering from Tokyo University, with working experience at the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

This pilot exercise is a first for Malaysia and if it proves to be a success, MERCY Malaysia hopes to apply it in other parts of the country in the future.