“The tragic flooding in Pakistan threatens the health and well-being of millions,” said MERCY Malaysia President, Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus. “With the Pakistan Relief Fund, it will help us in providing support and assistance towards the rebuilding of the health care services in areas that were badly-effected by the floods.”

 “Apart from providing humanitarian and medical aid to the flood victims now, we hope to continue assisting the affected communities after the floods subside, especially in the phases of recovery and rehabilitation,” said Dato’ Dr Ahmad Faizal.

On another note, the MERCY Malaysia team in Pakistan is actively involved on the ground since they arrived on 4 August. According to MERCY Malaysia Head of Relief Operations, Mr Hew Cheong Yew, two static clinics have been established in Nowshera and Charsadda districts to cater for over 3,000 people displaced by the flood, and the number may increase over time. The clinics – comprises a minimum of 1 local doctor and 3 medical staff each – were set up with the collaboration of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA).

“Another MERCY Malaysia team will be deployed to Pakistan on 12 August (Thursday) to continue supporting at the clinics, and to promote and supply hygiene kits to the flood victims as they are susceptible to water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea,” said Dato Dr Ahmad Faizal, adding that the team consists of MERCY Malaysia Programme Officer Mr Saw Yu Shen, accompanied by one MERCY Malaysia’s volunteer, Dr Jitendra Kumar Shantilal N Tejani.

“As there is a shortage of clean water in the flood-affected area, hygiene promotion is very important to educate the communities and individuals so that they are aware of the links between hygiene practices, poor sanitation, polluted water sources and diseases,” said Dato’ Dr Faizal.

“We have allocated a budget for 1,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to affected communities through appointed local organisations, and will conduct sessions to address the hygiene needs of the flood survivors,” he added.

To donate online, please visit www.mercy.org.my.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the country cannot cope on their own. The UN has warned of a “second wave of death” unless more donor funds are made available as up to 3.5 million children are at risk from water-borne diseases.

CREST is raising funds to sponsor families with cooking utensils and food supplies. For more information on how you can help, please logon to our website at www.crestmalaysia.org or call us at 603-77257299.