SEPANG: iM4U has joined forces with aviation industry players - Malaysia Airlines, MABkargo, Malindo Air, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to transport necessities to be distributed at refugee camps in Bangladesh.
This follows the call from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh recently
iM4U said its volunteers representing the Prime Minister’s Office are already in Bangladesh to assess the situation, in order to facilitate and better understand the type of assistance needed.
“More support is needed from fellow Malaysians in order to ensure continued assistance to the growing number of Rohingya refugees in desperate need of basic supplies,” it said in a statement.
International media reports have indicated that some 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine state to Bangladesh in what is turning out to be the world's fastest-growing refugee crisis.
Malaysia has spoken out against oppression of the Rohingya in Myanmar and called on the world to channel humanitarian assistance to the refugees who had sought shelter in Bangladesh.
Members of the public are urged to support this initiative by either donating funds directly to the iM4U Disaster Relief Fund via Maybank account 5643-2460-5701 or donating essential items and sending them to available collection centres in the country.
iM4U said the transportation of these items is executed through an integrated plan which involves Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air ferrying relief supplies from designated collection centres set up and coordinated by MAHB and iM4U across Malaysia to the Advanced Cargo Centre in KL International Airport (KLIA).
The goods will then be delivered to Chittagong, Bangladesh via MABkargo’s A330.
The items will be received by the iM4U team that are already there to be distributed at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh, it said.
“During this international humanity crisis, we have the pleasure of witnessing our nation coming together as one and help those in need.
“In support of the Malaysian Government in the Humanitarian Mission for the Rohingyas – Caring Nation Drive, we are humbly honoured to be working side by side with the Malaysian aviation industry in ensuring the required necessities are delivered safely to its destination.
“We encourage everyone to donate as much as they can,” said iM4U Chief Executive Officer, Rudy Malik,
MH6446 took-off on its first mission with up to 30 tonnes of food and other essential items today at 7.15am, arriving at Shah Amanat International Airport Chittagong, Bangladesh at 8.55am the same day. It will undertake more missions if necessary.
MAHB managing director, Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, applauded the joint collaboration and said that the
organisation is always ready to support humanitarian efforts.
"Some of our airports across Malaysia have been designated as collection centres as they are deemed ideal for efficient facilitation of the relief supplies. Our teams at the individual airports will provide full assistance to ensure the success of this project," he said.
Some of the essential goods required are, biscuits, Pre-mixed oats, milk powder, sanitary pads, soap bar, and towels.
The collection centers are available from Sept 18 until Oct 30, from 12noon – 10 pm across six locations
in Malaysia:
- Selangor: KL International Airport – Landside Operation Office near the Airport Limo Waiting Area
- Selangor: Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport – Old Terminal 2
- Sabah: Kota Kinabalu International Airport - Old Terminal 2
- Penang: Penang International Airport - MATC
- Sarawak: Kuching International Airport - MAB Cargo Complex
- Kelantan: Sultan Ismail Petra Airport – Surau Al Mikraj