Kuala Lumpur, 21 December 2007 – MERCY Malaysia deployed a Rapid Assessment Team of 5 medical and non-medical volunteers to Bera District, Pahang on 16 December 2007. With a total population of 80,000 people, Bera alone has recorded more than 2000 evacuees. Whilst assessing the severity of the flood impacting the district of Bera, the medical team conducted mobile clinic programmes in 4 evacuation centres in which they treated over 100 patients. Most patients came with complains of diarrhea, fever, allergy and skin infections.

On 19 December 2007, Malaysia deployed its second team to distribute water purification sachets (sponsored by UNICEF) to 9 villages along the Pahang River. To ensure the sustainability of the water sanitation programme, MERCY staff conducted a training session with local healthcare workers on the correct use of the sachets. A total of 388,000 sachets were stored at the district Health Department and as of to date 24,000 sachets has been distributed. Each sachet purifies 10 litres of water; however the water purification sachets will be distributed by MERCY’s team on a daily base.

“We are extremely concerned about the risk of water-borne diseases among the victims. The water sanitation programme will reduce the risk tremendously.” said MERCY Malaysia general manager Mona Hanim Sheikh Mahmud.

MERCY Malaysia is appealing to the public to help raise fund for its efforts in responding to the floods in Malaysia. Donations received will ensure the procurement of relief items and medical supplies and provide sustainable aid to the affected communities.