Page 20 - NGO (No.3)

MALAYSIAN MEDICAL RELIEF SOCIETY
assistance to affected populations.
MERCY Malaysia began implementing its key
domestic and international projects and pro-
grammes by utilising a new approach, Total Dis-
aster Risk Management (TDRM) in 2005.

The TDRM approach is in line with the Hyogo
Framework for Action (HFA), which was adopted
by 168 countries at the 2005 UN World Confer-
ence on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan.

The HFA outlined five main action points, among
them the importance of risk education as an im-
portant element to help reduce vulnerabilities. Doctors from the hospital were joined by volunteer
orthopaedic and paediatric surgeons from Mercy Malaysia.
TDRM applies disaster risk management to all to help prevent and mitigate damage in the event
the phases of the disaster management cycle – of an earthquake, flood, landslide or storm.
emergency response, recovery, prevention/miti-
gation and preparedness/readiness. Final Phase: Preparedness/Readiness
As it is important for any country to be prepared
MERCY Malaysia’s commitment to TDRM high- in the event of a disaster, this phase is crucial as
lights the importance of discovering a clearer it places the importance of hazard maps, food
understanding and response to disaster manage- and material stockpiling as well as the prepara-
ment while also addressing the root causes and tion of emergency kits, all vital factors that help to
minimise the impact of a disaster.

The risk of disasters and its adverse impact can
be reduced effectively if balanced attention is
placed on all phases of the disaster management
cycle.

HEALTHCARE
MERCY Malaysia began as a medical relief
society in 1999, and although the organisation
is well-known for its emergency relief efforts,
underlying factors that lead to disasters. capacity development projects relating to health
services are also provided well after the onset of
First Phase: Emergency Response any disaster, as well as reaching out to vulnerable
A life-saving phase, its aim is to ensure that an communities throughout the year.
effective response – rescue efforts, fire fighting,
emergency medical assistance and an evacua- Primary Healthcare and Dental Clinic
tion procedure – is in place when a disaster has Our mobile clinics provide free basic medical
taken place. check-ups and basic dental treatment to vulner-
able communities as well as the underprivileged.
Second Phase: Recovery Medication is given free of charge, and visits are
This phase involves rehabilitation and disaster-re- provided regularly to ensure continuity of service
silient reconstruction efforts as well as appropri- and follow-ups.
ate land use planning, industrial rehabilitation
planning and livelihood support. Locally, we provide regular clinics to the Nur
Salam centre, the Orang Asli settlement in Belum,
Third Phase: Prevention/ Mitigation and we also collaborate with Agensi Anti Dadah
This phase focuses on efforts to prevent or miti- Kerajaan to provide services for former drug
gate damage when a disaster strikes. Among the users.
activities related to this phase are the utilisation of
seismic resistant technology for rebuilding or ret- Cleft Lip and Palate Project (CLIPP)
ro-fitting, the construction of dikes, replanting of The CLIPP programme is a capacity development
mangroves, forestation and the construction and project which aims to provide free reconstructive
operation of meteorological observation systems surgery to treat and correct cleft lip and palate

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