79 Died in Philippines

Philippines, 8 Oct 2018 – 79 people died in Itogon, Benguet due to landslides and at least two people are still missing as a result of Typhoon Mangkhut that hit the region in the last 12th September.

 

Nearly 3 million people which equal to 719,565 families were affected by the Typhoon deemed to be the strongest one that hit the country this year, according to National Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

 

More than 200,000 houses were damaged and 14,611 of those are totally damaged in the regions of North Luzon including Cagayan and Cordillera Administrative Region.

 

At least RM2 billion worth of crops has been damaged which affected 172,000 farmers in Cordilerra Administrative Region. This is the highest damage of agriculture since Super Typhoon Yolanda.

 

At the moment, Islamic Relief (IR) Philippines has finished the first phase of the humanitarian response.

 

405 families have benefitted from IR Philippines through the funding support of IR Canada; 155 families have benefitted from the shelter kits and 250 families benefitted from the farm inputs in Baggao, Cagayan Valley.

Strengthening Social Status of Orang Asli

Dengkil, 3 Oct 2018 – 23 participants from Kelas Dewasa Asli Peribumi (KEDAP) acquired necessary guidance on mushroom planting and preparation of tiram kelambu mushroom administered by Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM).

 

The programme which in collaboration with Taman Pertanian Universiti, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) was initiated to uphold the income of Orang Asli.

 

Required exposure was at once given to all participants intensively to understand the whole procedures in making preparations for mushroom, in theoretical and practical terms.

 

In general, the mushroom planting leads to a new set of methods in a aggrotech way which is a combination of agro-planting and technology that encourages the growth of mushroom.

 

Maiminah Tahir, Officer at UPM said that the process of releasing mushroom planting involves several aspects which include preparation of media, mushroom blocks, steaming, inoculation, storing, and productions.

 

For information, the programme was fully sponsored by MRA International.

IRM to Create Professional Trainers

Bangi, 1 Oct 2018 – Six staff of Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) alongside another two staff of Islamic Relief (IR) Mauritius are to be nominated as a professional trainer through ASEAN Region, Train the Trainer Programme.

 

The programme which is the initiative from Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) holds the objective to groom a person from any organisation to become a certified trainer in delivering training session, not limited to Malaysia region but also the nation’s counterparts, Southeast Asia.

 

According to Head of Learning and Development, Stephen Terry from Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD), the aim of this programme is to also upgrade training across the family, to invest in country offices, ability and capacity build.

 

“They will mobilise subject matter expertise and be able to communicate and help others to learn, and to also work with the academy and deliver our programmes,” he said when being interviewed.

 

For information, the programme will run for two weeks of time at Bangi Putrajaya Hotel and official office of IRM.

Fire Relief Sarawak Reduces Burden

Kapit, 3 Oct 2018 – At least 48 families received fire relief aids from Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) after wildfire was caught at Rumah Panjang Dagum dan Rumah Panjang Bada, Kapit, Sarawak.

 

The wildfire was caught due to widespread of fire amidst cooking process at both Rumah Panjang.

 

After assessment has been made, among the aids that were distributed include food aids, blankets, canvas, drinking water, and cooking tools.

 

IRM was also in collaboration with several agencies to help the distribution process namely Committee Members of Kampung Gelam Welfare, HIKMAH Song, and Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) in Kapit.

 

No casualties were reported as at today.

Sulawesi Hit by Tsunami

Sulawesi, 1 Oktober 2018 – More than 1200 have been reported dead after a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Palu and Donggala District, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia on September 28th.

 

The number of deaths is expected to increase as new information may be available as one of the two most affected districts hit by earthquake is still inaccessible

 

Based on local reports, more than 750,000 people are in estimation exposed to the aftereffects of the earthquake.

 

The main road to Palu has been blocked due to a landslide, and a key bridge is damaged and not accessible. Donggala is not accessible and therefore as the extent of damage is yet to be known.

 

Thousands of homes have also collapsed, along with hospitals, hotels and a shopping centre.

 

Islamic Relief (IR) Indonesia is now in collaboration with Rumah Zakat (RZ) alongside Pos Keadilan Peduli Ummat (PKPU) to help distribute humanitarian aids. A total number of 20 local Non-Government Offices (NGOs) are selected to cooperate with Disaster Management Authorities for the mission.

 

Photo credit: Pos Keadilan Peduli Ummat (PKPU)

Community Programme Empowers the People

Kuala Lumpur, 22 Sep 2018 – Islamic Relief Malaysia (IRM) alongside Maybank Islamic Berhad (MIB) strove together to strengthen the welfare of residents in Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Batu Muda through Maybank Corporate Responsibility Day 2018.

 

The programme which involved gotong-royong activities, painting, planting trees, sharing session on financial management and the future of youth led to fostering a better relationship between all parties of Batu Muda PPR Community, IRM, and MIB in efforts to a more conducive life.

 

According to IRM Chief Executive Officer, Zairulshahfuddin Zainal Abidin, a non-government organisation (NGO) is the future of people that will be a critical factor in the development of a community and country including PPR.

 

“In between the government and corporate bodies exist in Malaysia, NGOs are the middlemen to help beneficiaries and complement each other in implementing a project,” he said in his speech.

 

Zairulshahfuddin was also positive with the presence of beneficiaries deemed to be a factor as to why IRM and MIB jointly mobilise the community.

 

He also expressed his gratitude in collaboration with MIB who has never been tired of continuously pursuing the community through humanitarian assistance to those in need either in and out of the country since 2015.