Wikipedia

Mercy Relief

Mercy Relief[1] is a Non-Governmental humanitarian organization based in Singapore. It was established in 2001 by Perdaus, a Malay-Muslim organization and became the first Muslim organisation in Singapore with a disaster humanitarian relief wing. The organization was officially launched[2] on 12 May 2001 by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Minister For Community Development and Sports and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs.

At the start of their inception, the volunteers provided doctors, nurses and logistical personnel for the medical relief missions to Afghanistan. They donated food, and helped run schools for the child refugees there. In Cambodia, they raised funds for the flood victims, and helped build wells and sanitation systems in villages. After the war in Iraq, Mercy Relief also raised funds to help Iraqi refugees and victims of war.[3] Locally, volunteers also provided support for orphans and under-privileged children.

In September 2003, Mercy Relief was strategically launched by then-Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, as an independent charitable nongovernmental humanitarian organisation and conferred the Institute of Public Character (IPC) status to have a greater outreach and impact to the global community. [4]

Mercy Relief responds within 72 hours of a disaster, delivering emergency aid to affected communities. It also aims to build resilient communities through sustainable development projects spanning across 5 key levers of changes, such as Water and Sanitation (WASH), Healthcare, Shelter, Sustainable Livelihoods and Education. As of 2024, the organisation has executed 115 relief operations and 100 post disaster projects worth 47.5 million. Over the past decade, Mercy Relief has reached more than 3 million beneficiaries in 31 different countries globally.[5]

Milestones

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Officially launched in 2003, Mercy Relief is Singapore's only independent Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) involved in humanitarian disaster relief. In December 2003, Mercy Relief was granted the Institution of Public Character (IPC) Status.[6]

The charity's first response since its official launch was to Bohorok River flash floods in North Sumatra in 2003, followed by the earthquake in Bam, Iran in the same year.[6] The next year, Mercy Relief was awarded the annual Singapore International Foundation Award for its efforts in spreading the Singaporean spirit in 11 countries through its works.[7]

Mercy Relief was invited by United Nations in 2008 to speak at the International Disaster and Risk Conference, on "Peace-time strategies that can ease relief operations and the management of risks during and after such calamities".[8]

In 2009, Singapore observed its inaugural World Humanitarian Day, where the works and sacrifices of humanitarians, including Mercy Relief's, was commemorated. It then partnered with Singapore Polytechnic in 2010 to conduct a two-year diploma-plus certificate course in humanitarian affairs.[9]

Mercy Relief also hosted Singapore's president, President Tony Tan Keng Yam at a humanitarian assistance project site in Magelang, Indonesia in 2012.[10] And in that same year, they participated in Singapore's National Day Parade for the first time, as part of the marching contingent.[11]

International Relief Work

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2023 Mount Marapi Volcanic Eruption

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On December 3rd, 2023, Mount Marapi in Indonesia's West Sumatra province erupted, showering ash up to 3 kilometers high. This caused significant ashfall, harming nearby communities and raising concerns about respiratory problems. The government advised residents to stay indoors and wear masks when outside.

In response to the eruption's health risks, ASAR Humanity and Mercy Relief joined forces to deliver aid to Sungai Pua, Agam Regency, on December 14th, 2023. Their efforts focused on 1) protecting health by distributing masks to prevent respiratory illnesses caused by the ash, 2) boosting immunity by distributing nutrition packages containing essentials like milk, vitamins and fruits to improve overall health and 3) maintaining well-being by providing comprehensive health services to ensure residents received necessary medical care during this difficult time.

This relief effort successfully provided aid to 1,050 people impacted by the eruption.

2023 Surigao del Sur Earthquake

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A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Surigao Del Sur in the Philippines on December 2nd, 2023, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and homes. Mercy Relief responded swiftly, collaborating with the Citizens' Disaster Response Center (CDRC) and the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc. (MISFI) to deliver aid.

In Bislig, relief packs were distributed to 100 families seeking shelter near a church on high ground. Local volunteers, including a council member, assisted with packing and distributing the supplies. In Hinatuan, Hinatuan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) aided in distributing 100 relief packs prepared by Mercy Relief. Aside from relief packs, Mercy Relief also cooked and served hot meals to the affected communities in Barangay Amontay, Marihatag. Aid distribution was also carried out in communal areas within Barangay Bayan, targeting a community with reported injuries. An additional rapid needs assessment was conducted, leading to a subsequent distribution at an informal displacement site on a hilltop housing families who feared aftershocks and planned to stay for a month despite authorities advice to return home.

2023 Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

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On October 7th, 2023, the current conflict between Israel and Palestine erupted, escalating into a war in Gaza. The subsequent humanitarian crisis in Gaza saw approximately 30,000 casualties in Dec 2023. Mercy Relief responded swiftly in conjunction with its ground partners to deliver aid to affected Palestinians.

In its first wave of relief distribution, Mercy Relief provided 5 tons of medical supplies shipped to Cairo, Egypt in collaborations with partners and facilitated by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Subsequently, they also coordinated with regional partners in Malaysia and Indonesia to collect essential items like winter blankets and clothing for distribution during the winter months. Mercy Relief provided 215, 227 individuals with critical aid through these initiatives.

2023 Türkiye Earthquake

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On February 6th, 2023, Türkiye was struck by its first earthquake near the city of Gaziantep. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake would be followed by a significant aftershock nine hours later. The devastation was immense, with Türkiye experiencing over 38,000 casualties and more than 108,000 injuries. In Syria, the earthquake claimed the lives of more than 5,800 people and left 7,000 injured. Mercy Relief responded with emergency aid for the thousands left without shelter and basic necessities, as numerous buildings were destroyed across multiple provinces, including Kahramanmaraş, Adıyaman, and Hatay.

In response to the immediate needs of 3,000 people among the affected populations, which included winter clothes, blankets, tents, hot meals, and search and rescue equipment, Mercy Relief (MR) partnered with Hayrat Humanitarian Aid Association (Hayrat Aid) to deliver emergency aid. Mobile kitchens were deployed to provide hot meals, and essential supplies such as food packages, hygiene sets, and coal burners were distributed to those in need.

In August, Mercy Relief also donated 20 container homes valued at S$180,000 to the Türkiye earthquake 2023 disaster community.

2022 Indonesia Cianjur Earthquake

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In November 2022, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck West Java Province, Indonesia. The epicenter was near Cianjur, about 75 km southeast of Jakarta. Approximately 2.5 million people were affected, with over 300 fatalities and 108,000 people displaced.

In response, Mercy Relief immediately deployed a relief mission, working together with ASAR Humanity to distribute S$4,800 worth of hot meals, drinking water, hygiene kits, tents, tarpaulin sheets, and blankets to 13,205 beneficiaries across two missions.

2022 Pakistan Flood

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Unprecedented monsoon rains in Sindh led to severe flooding across 24 districts, impacting approximately 12.3 million people. This disaster resulted in the destruction of 1.4 million homes and claimed over 800 lives, with 8,400 people sustaining injuries. Among the hardest-hit districts were Matiari and Tando Allahyar. The floods devastated both private and public infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, agriculture, and water sources, affecting a total of 376,000 residents in these areas.

In response to the appeal from the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Mercy Relief disbursed S$74,407 to provide ration food hampers and tarpaulins to 5,493 people, addressing the most pressing needs of affected households. Additionally, maternal care and medical camps focusing on post-natal, antinatal, and newborn care were established, directly benefiting 2,386 women and children.

2022 South Asia Bangladesh and India Floods

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Constant heavy rainfall in South Asia led to the devastation of North-Eastern regions in Bangladesh and India. Flash floods and landslides destroyed livelihoods and the homes of over 7.8 million people, resulting in 400 deaths and many more injured. The impact of the floods hit the marginalised communities the hardest.

In Bangladesh, Mercy Relief partnered with Wateroam, to provide water filters to a village of 200 residents, guaranteeing access to clean water within an hour. By working with their local partner, Human Aid Bangladesh Foundation (HABF), Mercy Relief also distributed food packs to 650 households, benefiting around 3,250 people.

Collaboration with the local organisation North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), Mercy Relief provided non-food items, hygiene kits, and water filtration systems to 700 vulnerable families in India. This assistance benefitted approximately 3,500 people, aiming to safeguard them against infectious diseases and prevent their spread.

In total, Mercy Relief disbursed S$70,178 for relief missions in Bangladesh and India.

2022 Philippines Tropical Storm Megi

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Tropical Storm Megi, also known locally as Tropical Storm Agaton, was a deadly tropical cyclone that devastated communities in the eastern and southern coastlines of Calicoan Island. The cyclone caused landslides and floods, affecting more than 2 million people with 175,794 people displaced, 236 injured and 147 people missing. Torrential rainfall for 5 days eroded fish farms and agricultural lands, affecting the community's main source of livelihood and food supply.

Leveraging on our network of local NGOs, Mercy Relief partnered with ground partners Panay Centre for Disaster Response (PCDR) and Leyte Centre for Development (LCDE), to deliver emergency relief aid. This aid was in the form of food packs, cooking utensils, and sleeping mats which was distributed to families in Barangay Bunga and Barangay Kantagnos in Leyte.

In Capiz, local partner PCDR also worked with volunteers to provide families with food packs and sleeping kits. Our aid distribution benefitted people with disabilities, the elderly and young children, whose lives were severely disrupted by the typhoon.

In total, Mercy Relief disbursed S$86,730 to relief efforts for Tropical Storm Megi in Leyte and Capiz.

2021 Typhoon Rai

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Super Typhoon Rai, named Odette in the Philippines, struck the eastern portion of the islands in December 2021. One of the strongest storms of 2021, Typhoon Rai damaged over 1 million homes in its path, displacing more than 7 million people in various regions and caused over 400 deaths. Heavy rains exacerbated flooding and landslides, upending lives and devastating farming and fishing communities which provide a major source of income and livelihoods.

Mercy Relief worked with our ground partner, Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC), and local partner, SIKAT, in the Philippines, in providing emergency relief aid in the form of dried food items and hygiene kits.

421 families from 2 communities – Barangay Luna and Barangay Manjagao – received the relief packs. Psychosocial activities were also conducted for the children, aimed at supporting them in their recovery and to return to their normal lives.  

2020 Southeast Asia Flood & Typhoon

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Mercy Relief responded to the torrential floods and storm surges in Vietnam & the Philippines on 11 November 2020. Due to the monsoon season, heavy downpours and tropical storms have led to landslides and flash floods, leaving infrastructures wrecked and thousands displaced in Vietnam and the Philippines. In just over a month, Vietnam was hit with six storms which caused widespread floods and landslides, leaving at least 239 people dead or missing and 1.5 million people directly affected and in need of clean water, food, medical care and shelter. Landfalls in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Goni, the world's strongest typhoon of 2020, killed at least 67 people and displaced over 408,000 people.[citation needed]

Mercy Relief worked with its ground partners, WARECOD in Vietnam & CDRC Philippines, to provide the emergency relief aid of food packs, clean water, hygiene kits, blankets and tarpaulin to the affected communities of Vietnam and the Philippines.[citation needed] A total of 1222 relief packs were distributed, benefiting 4472 individuals.[citation needed]

2020 Jakarta Floods

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Intense downpour equivalent to 72,000 Olympic-size swimming pools[12] hit the capital on New Year's Eve. It triggered landslides and floods that have since claimed 66 lives and displaced 173,000 people across 12 villages,[12] with South and East Jakarta reported to be the most affected.[13]  

Mercy Relief responded to the emergency by providing hot meals and clean water to the affected communities. Hygiene kits and solar lamps were also distributed to ensure that the survivors could keep up with the hygiene requirements. The efforts have since reached 8,286 people in collaboration with Aksi Cepat Tanggap.

2019 Typhoon Phanfone  

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Typhoon Phanfone (known locally as Ursula) swept through the Visayas islands, Philippines, on Christmas Eve and continued through Christmas Day. The disaster destroyed 2,300 villages and affected 1.9 million. An estimated 378,000 houses, 400 schools, and 32 public structures were damaged. The death toll stood at 50 and close to 370 injuries were reported.[14]  

Mercy Relief worked with Southern Tagalog People's Response Center to assist the affected communities and delivered hot meals to them. Food packs were also distributed in 3 areas in Mindoro Oriental and Mindoro, reaching a total of 2,320 beneficiaries in total.  

2019 Davao del sur Earthquake

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A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Davao del Sur, Mindanao on 15 December 2019 and affected more than 378,000 people, of which approximately 108,000 of them were survivors of the October earthquakes. The quake saw the destruction of thousands of homes, schools and healthcare facilities and records 210 injuries and 13 fatalities.[15]  

Mercy Relief worked with Disaster Response Center to conduct needs assessments and delivered hot meals to the affected communities. Non-perishables, water and plastic sheets were also distributed. A total of 2,066 people was reached.  

2019 Typhoon Kammuri  

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Typhoon Kammuri (known locally as Tisoy) hit Northern Samar on 3 December 2019 and brought violent winds and intense rainfall to the region. More than 2 million people were affected as the typhoon swept through their village and destroy their boats, the main source of their livelihood.[16]

Working hand in hand with local partners, Leyte Center for Development and Southern Tagalog People's Response Center, Mercy Relief conducted needs assessments and prepared hot meals for families in evacuation centers in seven 7 communities in the municipality of Mapanas, as well as 6 communities in Palapag, Northern Samar. Basic psychosocial session was also conducted with children. The efforts benefitted 7,184 individuals in total.  

2019 Cotabato Earthquake  

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Earthquakes ranging in magnitude between 6.1 and 6.6 struck Cotabato province of the Philippines in October 2019, damaging structures and agricultures.[17] At its peak, over 71,969 families were displaced.[18] Close to 47,500 houses were totally damaged or partially damaged in the disaster.  

Mercy Relief worked with Disaster Response Center and Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation to conduct needs assessments and deliver hot meals to the affected communities. The effort reached 1,904 in total.  

2019 Typhoon Hagibis  

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One of the worst natural disasters to hit Japan in a decade, Typhoon Hagibis left Honshu island in destruction when it brought heavy rainfalls that triggered landslides and floods. The unprecedented downpour has submerged many areas in the waters strong wind and saw 7 million people placed on non-compulsory evacuation orders.[19] More than 40,000 houses were flooded, and numerous electric infrastructures were damaged.[20]

For 19 weeks, Mercy Relief and its ground partner, Association for Aid and Relief Japan, gave out hot meals to the communities in Nagano, Fukushima, and Miyagi prefecture. Subsequently, it also funded the repair work of facilities in 2 social welfare centers, and a research project centered on understanding the needs of disabled people in Tokyo. Doing so will help authorities and organizations to gain knowledge of the needs and meet them effectively. A total of 4930 beneficiaries were reached at the end of the mission and post-disaster efforts.

2018 Lombok Earthquake Relief  

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A series of earthquakes struck Lombok in July through September, triggering tsunami and liquefaction and landslides altogether.[21] Close to 3000 deaths were reported,[22] and more than 2 million people were displaced for their houses are either destroyed or partially damaged.[21] Numerous infrastructures were severely damaged in the process, including the vital power and water supply.[23]  

Mercy Relief responded to the disaster by distributing food and relief supplies to the survivors. It also partnered with YEU, a local NGO, to deliver medical services to survivors in northern Lombok. Mobile clinic services were set up in Teniga village and Pendua Village. To ensure that the affected communities' health is kept up, food provisions and supplementary feeding for children under the age of 5 were also provided. Clean water, water reservoirs and water tanks were also distributed to villages and shelters. The total number of beneficiaries in the aforementioned efforts is 1,600 individuals, made possible with the $13,000 public fundraising.  

2018 Sulawesi Earthquake Relief  

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Sulawesi was struck by a series of earthquakes 28 September 2018, with the strongest one recorded at 7.5 magnitude. Over 2,000 deaths and 5,0000 missing cases were reported. The disaster is reported to affect approximately 1.5 million people and damaged more than 68,000 houses.[24]

Calls for donation also garnered generous donations from the public, $30,761 on donation platform, Giving.SG, and $360,000 from Singapore's Muslim community. These funds enabled the survivors to receive more aids to recuperate. A team was deployed to the scene with YAKKUM Emergency Unit, a local NGO, to distribute food packages, water, shelter kits, and LED lamps to the affected communities in Sigi, Palu, and Donggala district. Health services were also provided across 3 camps and a church to treat illnesses or injuries sustained by the locals. The efforts benefited 9,540 survivors in total.  

2018 Sunda Strait Tsunami Relief  

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A volcano eruption between the islands of Java and Sumatra caused an underground landslide and triggered a tsunami that struck coastal areas —Pandeglang, Serang, South Lampung and Tanggamus— hard.[25] The impact of the tsunami was grave, with death toll amounting to 437, injured persons at 14,059, and more than 36,000 displaced.[26]  

Mercy Relief delved into a 6-day relief mission with Yayason PKPA to provide support to the survivors. Essential items, blankets, hygiene kits, water, and food supplies were distributed to the affected communities. The aid reached 3,569 people in total and was made possible through crowdfunding initiative by MediaCorp and on Giving.Sg.  

2018 Kerala Flood Relief  

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Kerala experienced an abnormally high rainfall—42% above normal range—between June and mid-August 2018 that result in severe floods.[27] The situation worsened when water from 37 dams were released from their catchment due to the torrential rain.[28] The dire situation reports 433 deaths and saw 1.4 million people displaced.[28]  

A disaster response team was deployed to aid the communities in Kerala. 400 relief kits which include basic food and hygiene items were distributed in the Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala and 36 household water wells were restored for local families. The efforts were made possible with Rapid Response and $17,000[29] relief funds raised from the public.  

2018 Japan Flood Relief  

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Floods and landslides triggered by heavy downpour destroyed crushed buildings and left numerous prefectures partially submerged in water.[30] The disaster reported 220 deaths and rendered 12 missing. 39,067 houses were reported to be damaged across the 15 affected prefectures.[31]  

Donations garnered enabled Mercy Relief and its ground partner, Association for Aid and Relief Japan, to provide hot meals and fruits for the displaced communities. A total of 10,670 survivors were reached. Healthcare services were also provided on the ground at Mabi Town to care for the vulnerable groups. Subsequently, Mercy Relief supported the operation cost of a community support project for deaf persons at Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime prefecture, in partnership with chapters of Japanese Federation of the Deaf to better support the community in need. Finally, in partnership with Japan Disability Forum, Mercy Relief also purchased agricultural equipment for 2 social welfare centers in Hiroshima and Ehime to support survivors with disabilities.

2018 Laos Dam Collapse Relief  

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On 23 July night, a dam under construction in the Attapeu Province of Laos collapsed and water equivalent to 2 million Olympic-size swimming pools obliterated villages downstream.[32] The disaster reported 71 deaths[33] and destroyed multiple infrastructures.[34] Over 11,000 Laotians were affected, and many are left homeless as mud have washed over their houses, making it unliveable.[35] The aftermath sees livelihood of villagers wiped out as farms, vehicles for transport, and houses were all destroyed.  

Mercy Relief partnered with Shanti Volunteer Association in Laos and deployed its team to Attapeu to distribute 150 family relief kits to families displaced from their villages near the collapsed dam. Cooking utensils and solar lamps were also provided to 1,000 survivors at the evacuation center.

2018 Mount Mayon Relief  

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A phreatic eruption of Mayon at the start of 2018 set Albay in a state of distress after the active volcano started spewing ash and lava on 13 January, emitting Sulphur dioxide gas as it carried out its activities.[36] Fearing violent eruption, many families were evacuated to temporary shelters. At its height, over 90,000 were displaced.[37] The eruption ravaged through March.  

Mercy Relief, together with its ground partners—Disaster Response Center and Tarabang para sa Bicol (TABI)— provided hot meals to the affected communities. Nutritious meals were prepared in various evacuation center kitchens and mobile kitchens. 8,229 individuals were reached.  

2017 Tropical Storm Kai-Tak

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Tropical Storm Kai-Tak (known locally as Urduja) struck the Visayas region of Philippines in December 2017. The heavy rain and wind damaged numerous coastal villages and threatened locals whose livelihoods are dependent on farming and fishing. 43 deaths were reported in the aftermath.[38]  

Mercy Relief worked with Disaster Response Center and disaster preparedness committee leaders from 2 villages and municipal youth members to procure food and prepared hot meals for individuals and children affected by the typhoon. A total of 1,900 meals were served to children and individuals.

2017 Rakhine Conflict Relief  

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Ethnic conflict in the Rakhine state of Myanmar has displaced over 30,000 ethnic Muslims and minority groups and destroyed approximately 3,000 houses.[39] Violence rose as security forces and armed groups were engaged in active conflict. The crackdown unleashed by the state forced people to flee their homes as the siege intensifies and movements of people are restricted.  

Partnering with Myanmar Heart Development Organization, Mercy Relief conducted 10 relief missions across 13 villages to ensure food security. A total of 2,200 relief packs were provided to the households in the Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.

2017 Bangladesh Refugee Crisis  

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Attacks launched by Arakhine Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in Rakhine, Myanmar, in August 2017 have forced more than 607,000 refugees to flee to Bangladesh on foot.[40] The sudden influx of refugees led to a dire shortage in supply of food, shelter, water in the camps and makeshift settlements at the border of Myanmar and Bangladesh.  

Working closely with the Singapore Armed Forces,[41] Mercy Relief managed to bring essential supplies worth $270,000 to Bangladesh and deliver them to the troubled survivors. Tents, shelter kits, solar lamps and more were distributed in Cox's Bazar Dignity kits containing shawls, sanitary napkins and soap were also prepared for women. The effort reached a sum of 20,859 people. Mercy Relief also partnered with Human Aid Bangladesh Foundation to operate a health care centre in Bulukhali Camp -9 to provide maternal and child healthcare services for the refugees. Additionally, Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) training was conducted in Camp -16 to educate health volunteers on procedures to ensure safe delivery and transition to motherhood in the camp. The total number of beneficiaries is 23,345 people.  

2017 South Asia Flood Relief  

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A torrential monsoon blanketed Nepal, India, and Bangladesh in August 2017 and led to major flooding and large-scale landslides. 41 million people were affected across the 3 countries.[42] The communities were hit hard as homes, livelihood, and major infrastructures like airports and railways were destroyed or damaged.[42]  

Mercy Relief responded to the crisis by launching a multi-country relief mission. Food packs, hygiene kits, and bedding materials necessary to tide survivors through the tough period were distributed. In collaboration with Heart Beat and Rural Development Centre (RDC) in Nepal, Purvanchal Gramin Vikas Sansthan (PGVS) in India, and HEED Bangladesh, a total of 5,761 survivors were reached. Subsequently, Mercy Relief also distributed farming materials to farmers in Naogaon District, Bangladesh, to speed up the recovery process for agriculture production, benefitting 70 farmers and 45 families. The team also provided 115 families with housing materials to construct their transitional shelters.  

2017 Sri Lankan Flood Relief  

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The early arrival of the southwest monsoon in May 2017 shattered 15 districts in Sri Lanka and led to the deaths of 219 people. Strong winds and heavy rainfalls triggered severe flooding and landslides. Close to 80,000 houses were dismantled, affecting 229,235 families.[43]

Together with Sarvodaya Foundation, Mercy Relief distributed 710 emergency food and hygiene packs to the affected communities in Kalutara, Galle and Matara district, all of which reported to be the most severely affected areas. The mission benefitted 3,550 people in total.  

2016 Typhoon Haima

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In October 2016, Typhoon Haima hit some areas of the Philippines and nearby countries, leading to 19 fatalities. In Cagayan province alone, between 50,000 and 60,000 hectares of rice fields were flattened and flooded by the typhoon, causing serious concerns about food security and livelihoods.[44]

Mercy Relief distributed emergency food supplies and essentials such as rice, oil, dried foods and blankets as well as 100 water filtration kits[45] (WateROAM) to communities who were affected by Typhoon Haima in the Philippines. In total, 3,750 beneficiaries were reached in the municipalities of Amulung and Rizal in the Cagayan region.

2016 Aceh earthquake

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A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck Aceh in 2016, which displaced more than 11,000 people, left 104 deceased and at least 1,200 injured.[46]

Mercy Relief responded to the disaster by deploying a two-man disaster response team to assess the needs of the community on the ground and coordinate disaster relief efforts.[47] Among other sources, funds amounting $46,570 were raised through the website Giving.sg specific for the Aceh Earthquake Relief[48] and the team provided aid and assistance which include basic healthcare provision and improving community kitchens catering to mothers and children in Aceh.

The team also led a Maternal and Child Health programme to provide 217 pregnant, lactating mothers and their children with nutritional meals as well as health clinics. 266 mosquito nets were also distributed to the affected villagers to prevent the spread of disease

2016 Japan earthquake

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Two earthquake struck Kumomoto in Japan in mid-April of magnitudes of 6.5 and 7.3, these damaged 140,000 homes and displaced 11,000 people. Mercy Relief was able to respond to this humanitarian crises with $333,000 in aid funding which was able to benefit 37,000 individuals. Of these people, 18,700 hot meals were distributed to survivors over only 47 days.

2015 Nepal earthquake

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Mercy Relief responded to the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, which killed at least 8,000 people, and more than 18,000 people have been injured. Mercy Relief deployed a 2-man preliminary disaster to Kathmandu, Nepal within 48 hours of the disaster and provided shelter, food, medicine, hygiene kits and water for the survivors.

During the post-disaster phase, Mercy Relief managed to raise $750,000 to help victims of the Nepal earthquake,[49] of which $60,000 went to support acute relief effort.[50] It has also launched fundraising campaigns, collaborating with organizations like Qoo10 on an online fundraising campaign, raising over $30,000.[51] And Singapore Civil Defence Force, where volunteers cycled for 10 hours on 6 water filtration bicycles to raise funds for the victims in Nepal.[52]

Mercy Relief also undertook reconstruction projects to provide a secure roof for quake survivors and temporary structures to be used as a school before the onset of the monsoon. Using public donations, it put up 510 shelters, providing shelter to individuals during the monsoon season.[53] The next phase focused on permanent shelter reconstruction after the monsoon passes. In total, about $1.5 million of funds were raised to provide acute relief and reconstruction efforts.[50][54][55]

Up till 28 April 2015, the team has done 27 relief distribution and 8 medical missions, helping individuals living in the rural regions of Kathmandu and other areas of Nepal and about 20,000 beneficiaries.[51]

2014 Gaza conflict

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The 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, which started in 2006, was a military operation by Israel. It started on 8 July 2014, lasting for 49 days, ending on 26 August 2014.[56] The Gaza conflict resulted in 1,748 deaths and 9,078 Palestinians injured.[57] It left more than 273,000 Palestinians displaced, 1.8 million people affected, 138 schools and 26 health facilities damaged.[58][59][60]

In light of the military operations, Mercy Relief worked with Palestinian Wefaq Association and Palestinian Red Cross Society to help victims of the operation.[57] It has contributed $400,000 worth of aid, of which $250,000 was distributed as an initial tranche. It also provided $60,000 worth of food aid, $100,000 worth of medical supplies, and a fully equipped ambulance, which will be deployed by its Palestinian partner agency.[61]

2013 Typhoon Haiyan

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In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan swept the Philippines in early November 2013.[62] One of the deadliest typhoons in Philippines in modern history,[63] it caused 6,300 in Philippines alone[64] and affected 14.1 million people.[65]

In the wake of the typhoon, Mercy Relief launched a public fundraising from 7 to 31 December, raising $1.16 million from public donations to help individuals affected by the typhoon.[66] The donations were channelled to mainly funding health-care missions and rebuilding efforts. Besides fundraising, Mercy Relief focused on providing acute emergency relief and gathering relief supplies from neighbouring, less affected areas.[67] It dispatched teams to provinces devastated by the typhoon, helping about 25,000 people.[68]

2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami

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The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami happened on 11 March 2011.[69][70][71] It started as a 9.0 undersea earthquake, that resulted in a tsunami which caused 15, 893 deaths, 6,152 injured and 2,572 people missing.[72]

Following the disaster, Mercy Relief raised $2.6 million for victims, where they spent on operations and logistics, buying essentials and radioactive protective suits for survivors.[73] It camped out in disaster-stricken regions in Japan for 5 months, pumped $2.8 million to help victims of the disaster.[74] This included distributing 5000 winter blankets in Ishinomaki, a city located in Miyagi.[75]

Mercy Relief, with the help of a Japanese volunteer, implemented the Tohoku Livelihood and Recovery program, an 8-month program which trains individuals to operate heavy machinery. The program benefited 300 farming and fishing communities across Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. And following the program, 832 Japanese were trained to operate heavy machinery, allowing them to help in decontamination works, removing debris left behind by the earthquake.[76]

2010 Pakistan flood

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The 2010 Pakistan floods happened in late July due to heavy monsoon rains that affected the Indus River basin. As a result of the flood, about 20% of Pakistan's total land area was submerged.[77][78][79] The floods killed close to 2000 people, and directly affected approximately 20 million people were affected.[80]

In response to the flood, Mercy Relief sent disaster relief teams[81] and has helped raise $509,000 to provide relief aid and supplies to the flood victims.[82] It also distributed ultra-filtration systems, food and tents for residents.[81] Realising a shortage of medical services, Mercy Relief partnered with SingHealth and South City Hospital in Pakistan, where a medical mission team was sent to aid residents living in that region.[81]

2008 Sichuan earthquake

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The 2008 Sichuan earthquake was an 8.0 magnitude earthquake,[83][84][85] which happened on 12 May 2008. It killed 69,197 people and left 18,222 people missing.[86]

Mercy Relief responded to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which killed almost 90,000 people and affected a population of 11 million. It was the first foreign group to deliver essentials such as toothpaste and milk powder amounting to $50,000 to Lushan, the southwestern part of Sichuan.[87] Apart from helping the Lushan community, Mercy Relief also helped individuals in Baoxing, where they supported in the provision of relief supplies, worth $250,000.

Back home in Singapore, Mercy Relief have raised over $1.1 million. More than half of the amount was used for the reconstruction of two rural schools.[88]

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami

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The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, also known as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake,[89][90] happened on 26 December 2004 and resulted in a tsunami which killed 230,000 people in 14 countries.[91]

Following the tsunami, Mercy Relief raised $1.1 million, spending on supplies for the victims.[92] Apart from raising funds, Mercy Relief managed food relief packages, food and water donations. It also sent two teams to Sri Lanka and Aceh to help with post-disaster work. In Aceh, it spearheaded a S$2 million housing project, building proper housing for 900 victims of the tsunami,[93] and donated fishing boats to the locals.[94] Mercy Relief also took on a US$3 million project to rebuild the only hospital in Meulaboh, West Aceh that was struck by the tsunami,[95] as well as other school and orphanage building projects.[96]

Local outreach

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Gift of Giving

Mercy Relief launched its first-ever “Gift of Giving” Campaign on 16 November 2020. “Gift of Giving” is a virtual fund-raising campaign inspired by the season of giving. The campaign explores the meaning of giving among our stakeholders and encourages the spirit of giving within the community. This campaign raised more than $32,000.

In 2021, the second edition of this campaign saw Mercy Relief collaborating with The Charity Home Bakers (TCHB), a community of home bakers united by their passion for baking and giving back to society, to organise a bake sale with proceeds donated to Mercy Relief.

School Outreach

To raise awareness in Singapore of the work they do, Mercy Relief spreads its message of empowerment through various platforms, including public events and giving talks at schools.[97] Using interactive talks, photography exhibitions and workshops, Mercy Relief hopes to nurture the next generation of humanitarians. By spotlighting various various humanitarian issues in the region, they encourage students to think about how they can invest in other communities and participate in survivor journeys. In this way the organisation hopes to inspire more people to join them in championing their vision of care and compassion.

Ground Zero – Run for Humanity 2015

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On 10 October 2015, Mercy Relief organized Singapore's first humanitarian-themed charity race in Singapore, Ground Zero, Run for Humanity.[98] The run garnered 1,100 participants and saw some 500 participants carrying a 5 kg relief pack while completing a 5 km Relief Aid Challenge, mimicking the experiences of victims in natural disasters.[98] Attendees of the event include Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli.

References

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