Mercy Malaysia to set up clinic in flood-hit Laos
PETALING JAYA: Mercy Malaysia will set up a primary health clinic to provide urgent medical aid for 1,000 victims affected by the severe flooding caused by tropical storm Son-Tinh in San Sai district in Laos.
The Xepian- Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam, located in the Attapeu province, gave way last Monday, flooding nearby villages and rendering 6,600 people homeless. A total of 26 lives were lost.
Mercy Malaysia team leader Ahmad Faezal Mohamed ( pix) said two medical officers are on the way to San Sai district and two more will be sent by tomorrow.
“Another Mental and Psychosocial Support team is currently being assembled, with plans to set up Child Friendly Spaces at evacuation sites,” he said yesterday. “Hygiene kits, tarpaulins and mosquito nets will be distributed to affected families.”
Medical stocks worth US$2,000 (RM8,122) were bought in Thailand prior to the aid mission, he said.
The aid organisation had a coordination meeting with the United Nations, local authorities in Laos, and t h e Malaysi a n Embassy in Vientiane to determine where nongovernmental organisations would be deployed to provide aid.
Ahmad Faezal said Mercy Malaysia had yet to assess the number of officers needed to be stationed in San Sai.
Mercy Malaysia dispatched a rapid assessment team to Laos last Thursday.
The organisation also appealed for donations from Malaysians for it to provide urgent relief aid such as medical assistance, safe drinking water and temporary shelter to victims. – by Elly Fazaniza