KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia needs RM500,000 to launch the humanitarian aid missions in Laos and Lombok, Indonesia following the recent natural disasters in both countries.
Its assistant secretary-general, who is also the head of Humanitarian Mission to Laos, Ahmad Faezal Mohamed said the funds were required to provide medical assistance and basic necessities such as blankets, food and clean drinking water for the victims.
He said Mercy, among others, planned on repairing and rebuilding about 300 homes in place of thousands which have been damaged misplacing more than 16,000 due to the massive tropical storm, Son-Tinh.
“Currently, we have deployed a team consisting of nine members, including two medical personnel to Laos on July 27. They are there to provide first aid and medical treatment for the victims, especially those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, who may have lost all their medications in the flood.
“A makeshift clinic operating from a tent has been set up at Attapeu on Sunday for medical consultation by the team,” he said, adding that the nine would be returning to Malaysia on Aug 13, after which a new team would be sent.
Today in a simple ceremony, Maybank Foundation became the first to contribute RM200,000 to the relief fund by Mercy.
Maybank Foundation chief executive officer Shahril Azuar Jimin handed over the donation in a mock cheque presentation ceremony to Mercy Malaysia’s President DatukDr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus. AirAsia Foundation too had pledged to support the mission by providing flights to the disaster zone for the first 14 days.
Meanwhile, speaking after the simple ceremony at Mercy headquarters in Menara Oval Damansara today, the head of relief mission for Lombok, Exco Norazam Abu Samah said four relief workers left for Lombok this morning to provide emergency assistance, as well as to evaluate the situation on the ground.
“They will assess the extent of damages caused by the earthquake and the severity before they return home in a week’s time. Following their report and assessment, we will decide on the number of relief workers to be sent there,” he said.
Ahmad Faezal said Mercy welcomed any amount of contribution from generous individuals and organisations who wished to lend a helping hand for the victims of the two disasters.