Mercy Malaysia hopes to fully deploy aid to Sudan soon

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23, 2004 (Bernama) — Mercy Malaysia, the medical relief organisation, hopes to establish a strong relief presence in West Darfur, Sudan, soon, its president, Datuk Dr Jemilah Mahmood, said Thursday.

Women carry water at Abushouk camp near El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, November 21, 2004. (Reuters).

In a media briefing Thursday, she said the war-torn region of Sudan was still too sensitive for Mercy to begin a full-fledged relief effort.

Mercy is planning to set up a proper reproductive health centre specifically for pregnant women at El-Jeneina State Hospital in West Darfur.

Also in the pipeline is a gender-based violence unit to be based at the same hospital to deal with allegations of rape and discrimination against women.

“The centre will be an added aid to the hospital, which is already saturated with 700,000 patients on average, and is estimated to cost RM100,000,” said Jemilah.

Mercy Malaysia Thursday received a donation of RM10,000 raised at a golf charity event by the Sekolah Menengah Sains Kedah Alumni.

Jemilah received the mock cheque from Izham Yusoff, chairman of the organising committee of the charity event.

The donation will be channelled directly to the Mercy Humanitarian Fund.