MAYBANK FOUNDATION - MERCY MALAYSIA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP, AND RESPONSE TO TYPHOON HAGUPIT IN THE PHILIPPINES
December 10, 2014, KUALA LUMPUR – MERCY Malaysia has been closely following the progress of Typhoon Hagupit (also known locally as Typhoon Ruby) across Central Philippines. On the 4th of December 2014, Typhoon Hagupit was upgraded to a Super Typhoon by the Philippines weather service PAGASA, initiating the largest forced peacetime evacuation of 650,000 people in danger areas along the projected path of Hagupit.
In the evening of 6th December 2014, Typhoon Hagupit made landfall over Dolores, in Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 175km/h and gusts of wind up to 210km/h (OCHA). Access to Dolores has proven very difficult as transportation networks have been destroyed and communication lines cut off. Typhoon Hagupit has been moving in a West Northwest direction at a slow speed of 10km/h, causing widespread flash flooding and landslides, as well as cutting off electricity and telephone networks. Currently, the typhoon has slowly weakened as it heads towards the West Philippine Sea and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility some time Thursday morning local time (PAGASA).
A MERCY Malaysia team based in Ormoc City has been deployed to Biliran to carry out a needs assessment of the damaged caused by Typhoon Hagupit. A second MERCY Malaysia team from Kuala Lumpur, consisting of a nurse, logistician and Relief Operations staff have also been deployed to the affected area of Biliran and Tacloban. The team will focus on medical needs assessment of affected communities, possible distribution of hygiene kits and empowerment of local staff to respond to disasters.
In support of MERCY Malaysia’s efforts, Maybank Foundation today has extended a financial aid amounting RM1 million to the association in a cheque presentation ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur. Maybank Foundation was represented by its CEO, Shahril Azuar Jimin while MERCY Malaysia was represented by its Executive Director, En Ahmad Faezal Mohd. A portion of the donation will be used to provide relieve assistance to the Typhoon Hagupit victims.
The contribution is part of a 3-year partnership between Maybank Foundation and MERCY Malaysia. Maybank Foundation is Maybank Group’s vehicle for regional corporate responsibility initiatives which aims to support community programmes that are sustainable and can benefit segments of the community who are most in need. This is in line with the Group’s mission to humanise financial services.
This partnership will focus on disaster response, rebuilding efforts (post-disaster) and risk reduction programs. With this partnership, Maybank Foundation is the single largest supporter of MERCY’s cause, with an annual contribution amount of RM1 million. Funding provided by Maybank Foundation to MERCY Malaysia will be used for the deployment of emergency responses, purchase of medical supplies and prepositioning of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) preparedness programs. Maybank Foundation is also developing an internal pool of able volunteers in all ASEAN countries where Maybank is present. It is hoped that this group would be able to be mobilised to assist MERCY Malaysia during times of need.