KUCHING: The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) Sarawak state would like to appeal to the public for a crowd funding campaign in conjunction with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (WRCD).
The funds will be used for various purposes such as disaster response, social and welfare assistance for the needy, and disaster response capacity building.
MRC Sarawak State chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam in his WRCD message, shared that the Covid-19 pandemic impact is clearly on health; the risk of widespread and uncontrollable community transmission will bring a surge of the virus infections.
“There would be reduced access to regular health care and deferment of elective surgeries that may prolong the suffering of patients on palliative care.
“The secondary impact would affect the socio-economic wellbeing of society. Food security at the domestic home, loss of income and employment and the inability to meet basic needs will severely impact on social cohesion or breakdown of trust, psychological issues and stigmatisation and social exclusion,” he said.
For MRC Society Sarawak, he pointed out that volunteers had been able to contribute in some measures in the fight against the pandemic at the domestic end.
“Volunteers were harnessed to assist in making personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields, hood and foot cover, protective gowns.
“MRC have produced over 22,000 DIY (do it yourself) face shields, 5,000 face masks, 4,000 hand gloves, 3,500 hair covers.
“A total of 60 full-face respirators costing over RM41,000 and a portable ventilator valued at RM50,000 were presented to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH). These specialise equipment were made available from funding under the MRC #responsMALAYSIA initiative,” he said.
Dr Chan further noted that on an individual and personal capacity, members of the public could also assist especially on WRCD with a crowd funding campaign.
With a minimum donation, donors will receive a limited edition ‘MRC Darrow Bear’ as a token of appreciation. Additionally, the first 20 donors will also receive a special gift from MRC Sarawak State.
For donations of RM150, donors are entitled for a mini ‘MRC Darrow Bear’ (38cm tall) and RM300 for a ‘Darrow Bear’ (50cm tall).
The campaign ends on May 31, 2020.
Donors are required to scan the Sarawak Pay QR code and enter their intended amount, or bank-in to Hong Leong Bank (Malaysian Red Crescent Society 25200008814). Payment record is to be sent to MRC Sarawak State to claim the ‘Darrow Bear’.
