Mercy Malaysia, a volunteer relief organization in Malaysia, is sending a four-member relief team to Yangon, Myanmar to assess the situation in the wake of cyclone Nargis, local media reported on Wednesday.
Executive committee member Heng Aik Cheng will lead the team that also comprises deputy head of Relief Operations Rossimah Mohamed, program officer Hafidzi Ahmad Bunian and head of Communications and Fundraising Shamini Darshni.
"We hope to be there as soon as possible. There is a great need for shelter, clean water, sanitation and emergency medical treatment," the New Straits Times quoted Heng as saying.
"The situation is serious. More than 13,000 people have died and we expect the numbers to rise as communications to the affected areas become worse," he said.
The relief team is to assess the type of aid required.
For the moment, Mercy Malaysia will be sending water purification sachets, medication, tarpaulins and plastic sheets for temporary shelter.
It is also coming up with a list of essential pharmaceutical drugs needed by the survivors.
It will discuss its next course of action with the Myanmar authorities as well as local and international non-governmental agencies.
Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar last Friday and caused huge devastation, leaving thousands of people homeless.
There are fears that the casualties could increase dramatically as affected areas remained cut off from the rest of the country and communications come to a standstill.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article