MERCY Malaysia Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) --The Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY Malaysia) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by hosting a variety of events to increase the interest and spirit of volunteerism among people of all ages. Its Executive Director Ir Amran Mahzan said the initiatives include providing Ramadan relief to the needy in Yemen, Palestine, Bangladesh and Malaysia through food packs, worth RM250 per family. "We hope to achieve RM500,000 for Ramadan Relief donation, giving people a chance to contribute through MERCY Malaysia’s CIMB account 8000 7929 08. "Last week, we distributed 600 food packs to 600 families in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh," he said in a press conference of MERCY Malaysia’s 20th anniversary celebration here, Thursday. He said MERCY Malaysia will also conduct an International Humanitarian Conference from Aug 5 to 7, featuring distinguished international and local speakers including its founder Dr Jemilah Mahmood, Minister of Health Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, head of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Malaysia Thomas Albrecht and many more. This will be followed by a Charity Fundraising Dinner on Sept 28, which will be graced by the presence of its royal patron, King of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Queen of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, he said. Meanwhile, MERCY Malaysia's Vice President II, Raja Riza Shazmin Raja Badrul Shah noted that the organisation has been appointed late last year as a Zakat Collection and Distribution Agent by Kedah Zakat Board and Perlis Islamic Religious Department. She said the zakat (tithe) initiative is to provide an alternative source of funding for humanitarian works through efficient and trusted route for people to fulfil their zakat obligations, while ensuring their donations go to needy recipients. "For the last 20 years since 1999, MERCY Malaysia has operated in over 32 countries, offering emergency medical response, post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, as well as disaster preparedness training," she said. She said MERCY Malaysia's greatest achievement was when they became the first humanitarian organisation to provide medical responses and build temporary houses after the tsunami tragedy hit Aceh, Indonesia in 2014. “We continue to innovate as it (MERCY) turns 20th this year, by not only preparing for new horizons in disaster response and preparedness but is (also) ready for sharing knowledge about humanitarian aid,” she added. --BERNAMA