7 April 2011 – MERCY Malaysia has deployed a Rapid Assessment Team to gauge the humanitarian needs in Libya last Saturday. Led by MERCY Malaysia Senior Advisor, Dr. Paul Mettler, the 4-person team has since identified shortage of medical supplies and personnel as immediate needs that require attention.
"We have been monitoring the situation in Libya since early March through our staff in Egypt. Initially, our focus was on the displaced people, particularly those who fled to the border since Libya itself was not open to access. With the recent development and clear demarcation of control of areas -especially in the eastern part of the country- UN agencies and NGOs are then able to enter these locations and identify the needs more objectively", said MERCY Malaysia President, Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus.
"By having a team there, it is easier to respond to the needs because planning, networking and procurement can be done directly and from the neighboring country if necessary", he added.
"The safety and security of our team is paramount, and we will be observing all the necessary protocols. We have also secured a commitment from one of our global partner UN agency in charge of logistics in the area – the World Food Programme, or WFP- to facilitate our team's movements", he assured.
On another note, MERCY Malaysia has been responding to the recent flood in Kuala Perlis, Malaysia with the deployment of a two-person team. Supported by the MERCY Malaysia Northern Chapter and staff of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), 300 family hygiene kits were distributed to the flood-affected people in SMK Dato' Ali, and SK Panggau, and a health and hygiene education campaign was conducted in the two evacuation centres.
About MERCY Malaysia
MERCY Malaysia is a non‐profit organisation focusing on providing medical relief, sustainable health-related development and risk reduction activities for vulnerable communities in both crisis and non-crisis situations. MERCY Malaysia recognises the value of working with partners and volunteers as well as providing opportunities for individuals to serve with professionalism. We uphold the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief and hold ourselves accountable to our donors and beneficiaries. As a non‐profit organisation, MERCY Malaysia relies solely on funding and donations from organisations and generous individuals to continue our services to provide humanitarian assistance to our beneficiaries.
For further information, kindly contact:
Juanita Johari, General Manager, Communications and Fundraising, MERCY Malaysia
Level 2, Podium Block, City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 KL.
T: 6-03-2273 3999, F: 6-03-2272 3812, E: juanita@mercy.org.my W: www.mercy.org.my
Important Note to Media: Usage of Wordmark MERCY Malaysia
In order to avoid confusion with other organisation(s) that uses "Mercy" as the organisation's name or part of the organisation's name, please take note that in addressing the name of our organisation, the wordmark for MERCY Malaysia is with capitalised "MERCY", followed by the word "Malaysia". When describing the organisation, the term "MERCY Malaysia" must always be used in full, and should not be partially referred to as "MERCY", or "Mercy". Thank you for your cooperation.