Mercy Malaysia aims to raise RM5 million to support humanitarian efforts in Cox's Bazar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY Malaysia) is aiming to raise RM5 million to support its humanitarian efforts for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh and a minimum of RM1 million to help internally displaced persons in Northern Rakhine, Myanmar.
According to MERCY Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, the non-profit organisation's main concern was the possibility of disease outbreaks in view of the cramped and crowded living conditions.
"We appeal to everyone to chip in any amount to make the lives of even one child, or one family at Cox's Bazar, a little better," said Dr Ahmad Faizal in a statement here, today.
He said despite efforts from the Bangladeshi government, military and international aid organisations such as MERCY Malaysia, aid coordination remained a challenge, mainly due to the large volume of Rohingya refugees arriving almost on a daily basis to already crowded camps.
Donations can be made to MERCY Malaysia's 'Rohingya Relief Fund' by logging on to www.mercy.org.my.

"With limited resources in a country already strained with an existing refugee population of 200,000, prices of essential goods and medications had begun to rise as demand exceeds supply," Dr Ahmad Faizal said.
He said the most critical need at the moment was health services, which MERCY Malaysia had been providing at two of their Primary Health Clinics (PHCs) at the Thangkhali and Balukhali camps since the end of September.
"Our medical officers at Thangkhali PHC see more than 100 patients daily, while the Balukhali camp, which is bigger, receives about 300 patients daily.
"To date, we had seen close to 7,000 patients, with the most common complaints being diarrhea, headache, fever or infection, skin problems and gastritis," he said.
Dr Ahmad Faizal also mentioned that MERCY Malaysia was in the process of creating child-friendly spaces for Rohingya refugees below the age of 17, as there was rising concern about the long-term effect of their sudden and treacherous exodus from Myanmar.
He said MERCY Malaysia would focus on developing a comprehensive health centre at the Kutupalong Expansion Block D site that would provide a wider range of medical services.
"Plans are also underway to establish a proper clinical system and a referral system to refer patients with chronic conditions to referral centres such as Cox's Bazar General Hospital," he said. — Bernama