Mercy Malaysia To Expand Ongoing Humanitarian Projects In Somalia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama)-- The Malaysian Medical Relief Society (Mercy Malaysia) is to develop a new project for Somali children, called "the Children Friendly Space programme," to ensure their well-being is safeguarded against the currently hostile and difficult situation in the country. The non-governmental organisation also plans to develop and expand its ongoing humanitarian projects in Somalia, and has sent a two-man team to look into it last Monday, said a statement issued by Mercy Malaysia here today. The two-week mission, headed by Head of Relief Operations Hew Cheong Yew and joined by paediatrician Dr Wan Ariffin Abdullah, was a follow-up to last year's medical and humanitarian response following the alarming rise in the famine situation and such complications as malnutrition in Somalia, the statement said. It said that the two-man team, expected to arrive in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Wednesday, will join the Malaysian Mercy team stationed there. Following last year’s drought and famine, the situation in the country remains critical. At least 250,000 Somalis are in immediate danger of malnutrition, ill-health and starvation, with many more in great need of humanitarian aid. "In view of such developments, Mercy Malaysia implemented medical relief assistance projects in Somalia, which include the setting up of mobile clinics, a supplementary feeding programme and hygiene promotion," the statement said. It said Mercy Malaysia’s Somalia Relief Fund needs donations. The public can donate through Mercy's Maybank account, "Mercy Humanitarian Fund," account number 5621-7950-4126, or through the CIMB Bank account "Mercy Malaysia," account number 1424-000-6561053. For more information or to donate online, the public can visit www.mercy.org.my. -- BERNAMA