MALAYSIANS URGED TO HELP HAITI QUAKE VICTIMS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Mercy Malaysia Thursday urged Malaysians
to help earthquake victims in Haiti by channeling assistance to any organisation
of their choice, currently at the scene, carrying out relief work.

Its president Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said Mercy Malaysia was
monitoring the situation from their headquarters and via its partner, a UK-
based international non-governmental organisation, Merlin, who are currently in
Haiti.

"Mercy Malaysia is currently constrained in terms of funding and personnel.
For Haiti, the geographical distance introduces significant logistical costs,
which would consume a considerable percentage of funds.

"As such we are unable to send in staff or volunteers to assist survivors of
the devastating earthquake in Haiti," he said in a statement issued here.

Dr Ahmad Faizal said a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan 13 and
tens of thousands of people were feared dead as aftershocks continued to hit the
capital city of Port-au-Prince.

He added that many victims were feared trapped or buried beneath demolished
schools, hospitals and homes, and the international response had been impressive
in terms of the rapidity and volume of assistance.

-- BERNAMA