KUALA LUMPUR: Mercy Malaysia is coming to the aid of Indonesian earthquake victims through a project to build 150 permanent toilets in Palu, central Sulawesi.
The effort was mooted to help maintain cleanliness and provide public amenities that will benefit victims during the post-disaster period. The initiative was also to prevent any spread of diseases.
The permanent toilets will be built in a temporary camp in Pasar Sibalaya Utara, Palu and in other locations. The project was kick started yesterday.
Mercy Malaysia mission team head, Norazam Abu Samah said the organisation will build another 50 bathrooms near the 150 toilets which would be set up in five locations including Palu, Donggala and Sigi.
He said the earthquake victims urgently needed toilets and bathrooms as their homes were completely destroyed.
“The conditions at the temporary camps are extremely dire and we fear that the victims’ health will be at risk.
“Among the biggest challenges is gathering a complete data of earthquake victims. The data is yet to be completed, and we face challenges in finding information and locations of the victims.”
He said Mercy Malaysia spent RM150,000 to build the permament toilets and bathrooms which were expected to be completed soon.
“The funds were donations from Malaysians who were concerned with the plight of Palu’s earthquake victims.
“We want to ensure that the best medical and infrastructural assistance is given to victims to ensure their comfort.”
Thirteen volunteers and nine doctors are following Mercy Malaysia’s mission to Palu following the Sept 28 earthquake and tsunami.
Besides medical assistance, Mercy Malaysia is contributing hygiene kits and tenst to victims who were displaced due to the disaster.
