MyCARE HOPES TO RAISE RM3M FOR GAZA
It will help 7,000 Palestinians in need of medical care
HUMANITARIAN Care Malaysia (MyCARE) is going all out to help Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip, starting with a collaboration with Econsave Cash & Carry to launch the “Medical4Gaza” campaign at Alam Jaya Econsave yesterday.
The collaboration is aimed at raising RM3 million to aid some 7,000 injured Palestinians in need of medical care, with at least 2,400 requiring immediate medical procedures in hospitals there.
Supported by the Health Ministry, MyCARE yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Econsave Cash & Carry and launched the nationwide donation campaign at the supermarket chain’s 73 branches, witnessed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Dr Dzulkefly, in his speech, praised the cooperation and hoped more companies would follow suit.
“It is a good collaboration for a good cause. The government will continue its unwavering support for charitable and humanitarian causes such as this,” he said.
The Econsave and MyCARE initiative goes back to 2011. Econsave has contributed a total of RM6 million for humanitarian efforts in disaster-hit countries, such as Nepal and Indonesia.
MyCARE chief executive officer Kamarul Zaman Shaharul Anwar said medical aid and specialists doctors had become the highest priority in humanitarian aid, especially in Palestine.
“MyCARE entered Gaza last year and met Gaza’s Deputy Health Minister Dr Yusof Aburrish.
“It also identified more than 6,000 patients in need of immediate surgical treatment.
“Sadly, the hospitals lack medical equipment and are in need of specialist doctors.”
He said it was difficult for aid to reach the victims and called on the ministry to intervene through efforts with Egypt.
Dr Dzulkefly said discussions had been initiated for approval from Egypt.
Present at the launch was Econsave managing director Lai Sia Ling, who presented a cheque for RM1.2 million to MyCARE.