KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia has called on generous Malaysians to donate to a special fund to aid victims of the recent earthquakes in Southern Turkiye and Syria.
Mercy Malaysia has activated the Türkiye 2023 Earthquake Emergency Response Plan to help those in the affected areas.
This appeal comes after more than 1,600 people died and 2,800 buildings damaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake early Monday.
A powerful earthquake struck southern and south-eastern Turkey causing deaths, injuries and destruction in cities and towns in the region.
"The Turkish government has declared a 'level 4 emergency' that calls for immediate international assistance.
"Many people are still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings and are waiting for rescuers and supplies, after getting stranded as a result of the quake.
"The death toll and number of people injured are expected to increase with people still trapped, and some affected areas remained inaccessible," said Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus.
He said the funds collected would be channelled to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities.
"Mercy Malaysia will be sending its Rapid Assessment and Emergency Medical Response Team 2023 to conduct a ground assessment on medical needs and prepare for any subsequent deployments," he said.
Dr Ahmad Faizal said the first mission deployed would be to provide trauma care and essential medical and psychosocial services for disaster-affected victims.
He said in addition, Mercy Malaysia would also be providing medical supplies for primary healthcare services.
Dr Ahmad Faizal said Mercy Malaysia's voluntary work in Turkiye went back to 2011 when it was struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake during winter.
He said the disaster caused significant damage to the city and survivors also had to fight the cold winter, both at the same time.
"Back then, Mercy Malaysia ran a mobile clinic and distributed staple foods to 990 affected victims.
"We started off by delivering primary healthcare products to those affected and over the years our work has since expanded to recovery, rehabilitation and capacity building with various programmes addressing health, child, adult and education, as well as vocational training," he said in a statement today.
Turkey, he said, was now in dire need for humanitarian assistance and called on Malaysians to donate to the cause.
"Your donation will help us step up our emergency humanitarian relief efforts, which includes rehabilitation and sustainable development for the people of Turkey," he said.
Support in the form of donations to the MERCY Malaysia Türkiye 2023 Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund can be made through:
MERCY Humanitarian Fund
MBB 5621 7950 4126
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
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