After a thorough observation made by our Assessment team, MERCY Malaysia has decided to send another two (2) mission members to Syria. Target district being Homs, located 45 km away from one of the safer borders out of Lebanon into Syria. At the moment, there are less than five (5) international non-profit organizations assisting the 75,000 refugees in the 90 refugee centers in Homs, apart from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). Hence, MERCY Malaysia deems that medical and humanitarian relief is crucially needed in this specific district.

MERCY Malaysia together with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has distributed relief supplies of chronic illnesses, milk products, women hygiene kits and diapers at transit centers for refugees in Homs, valued at USD5, 000.

Meanwhile, a donation of USD20, 000 is benefited for the procurement of emergency drugs and medical supplies to be distributed to functioning hospitals in and around Beirut, in partnership with Islamic Medical Association of Lebanon (IMA). In addition, another USD20, 000 is allocated to the Women’s Humanitarian Organisation in Lebanon for the procurement of humanitarian relief items.

Y Bhg. Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood, President of MERCY Malaysia has entered Lebanon on Wednesday, 09 August 2006 as part of a Task Force under the OIC Countries Humanitarian Forum (OICCHF) and is scheduled to be there until Saturday, 12 August 2006.

She is to establish a coordination centre for the OIC Countries Humanitarian Forum in Beirut, as well as to secure a safe passage for the deployment of emergency medical and relief supplies into Lebanon.

Seven (7) other mission members being Anita Ahmad, Sister Che Tah, Dr Hamid Altai (Iraqi staff), Dr Sarmad (Iraqi staff), Hew Cheong Yew, Zu Mian and Major Anuar are still in Damascus assessing the situation to enable MERCY Malaysia to prepare an efficient response plan in aid of the people of Lebanon.