Mah Sing foundation provides 5,000 pieces of R95 face masks to Pasir Gudang local community via Mercy Malaysia’s on-ground efforts
Mah Sing Foundation is providing 5,000 pieces of R95 masks to the local community of Pasir Gudang which has been affected by the Sg Kim Kim chemical spill. A donation of RM20,000 to Mercy Malaysia enabled them to source the masks from Kuala Lumpur, as R95 masks have been in short supply in the southern region since the news broke. The R95 masks are able to filter out oil particles from the air.
Mah Sing Foundation which has collaborated with Mercy Malaysia on other humanitarian issues reached out to the NGO as they have a systematic on-ground protocol to assist affected residents. Mercy Malaysia has been working on the ground since the issue came to light, and has sent their third team to help support the local medical team who has been working around the clock since last Thursday. The 5,000 pieces of R95 masks were distributed from Mercy Malaysia’s temporary base at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) Indoor Stadium. The MPPG Indoor Stadium is currently housing all patients and relevant government agency operations.
“We are very concerned about the community in Pasir Gudang especially school children who are affected by the toxic fumes. I think this is an unprecedented catastrophe and the number of those affected by the toxic fumes is still climbing. Besides working with MERCY Malaysia, Mah Sing’s Ramada Meridin hotel is also sponsoring food for Pasir Gudang’s First Responders via the MealsOnUs project organised by Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH). We shall be distributing packed food and drinks for 150 first responders on 21st March, and we are really grateful for their civic-minded support,” said Dato’ Syed Norulzaman bin Syed Kamarulzaman, Chairman of Mah Sing Foundation.
Amran Mahzan, MERCY Malaysia’s Executive Director said, “The most immediate need that have been highlighted to us is the face mask to protect the lungs of the local community of Pasir Gudang. Following our team’s deployment and ground assessment, we are also working out a medium to longer term humanitarian plan targeted at the schools and local community. The most immediate need is for mental and psychosocial support, and we plan to conduct regular programmes at the schools within the vicinity for the following 2-4 months if possible.”
