SHAH ALAM: Global Peace Mission (GPM) Malaysia has started the Humanitarian Fund For Yemen (#PeduliYaman) with the aim of collecting RM1 million for the people affected by civil war, described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
GPM president Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim said the crisis, which has lasted for four years, has resulted in about 22 million Yemenis suffering, plagued with famine, malnutrition and deprived of access to clean water and health care.
“We target to raise RM1 million in six months for the #PeduliYaman mission. We will be bringing in an early aid of RM100,000 for our Winter Mission at the end of November.
“We will channel assistance such as food, clean water, kits for winter, babies and medical supplies as well educational materials which is expected to take place in phases,” he said.
The fund was set up in collaboration with Sinar Harian and Kumpulan Karangkraf at Kompleks Karangkraf here today.
It was launched by Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, witnessed by the ambassador of Yemen to Malaysia Dr Adel Mohamed BaHamid and Karangkraf Media Group managing director Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub.
Raimi said some 62 per cent of the affected areas in Yemen were still accessible and there was an urgent need for Malaysians to play a role and lend a helping hand to ease the suffering of the war victims.
Adel thanked Malaysians for helping the war torn country and said there were some 17,000 Yemenis living in Malaysia made up of students, social pass holders and those under the Malaysia My Second Home programme.
“We are happy whenever Malaysia extends its assistance to us. It is not about the quality or quantity but the spirit of brotherhood between the two nations,” said Adel.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said Malaysia will assist Yemen in whichever way it can, including the opportunity for Yemenis to come over and there was no quota set for this.
Malaysia, he said, has been a good host to people from all over the world and stressed the need for one to have legal travel documents.
Saifuddin said Malaysia was gravely concerned over the safety of the civilians and the mounting civilian casualties.
He said it was unacceptable that the Yemenis were facing multiple crises, including armed conflict, displacement, risk of famine and outbreak of diseases.
Malaysia, he said, noted that a United Nations (UN) led consultation would be held in Sweden and called on all parties to agree to a ceasefire in the next 30 days.
“Malaysia reiterates its call to all parties in Yemen to return to dialogue without any precondition and in good faith, in order to implement the country’s political transition roadmap.
“Malaysia trusts that the dialogue will serve as a platform to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the conflict, and return the country to a state of peace and stability.
“Malaysia firmly believes that a durable solution can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiated political settlement, and not through military force,” he said.
He added that Malaysia strongly supported the call by the UN Secretary-General for all parties to engage in UN-facilitated consultations in good faith.