KUALA LUMPUR: Media Prima Bhd (MPB), through the Media Prima Palestinian Humanitarian Fund, today donated RM716,500 to the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) in aid of Palestinians in Gaza.
The contribution will boost MRA's humanitarian initiatives to help Palestinians who have fallen victim to the Israeli military's atrocities.
"MPB is always committed to assisting the people and victims of atrocities in Palestine through collaboration with experienced non-governmental agencies (NGOs) that have extensive expertise in carrying out missions in the affected regions.
"MPB would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the contributors who have made this initiative a success," the media conglomerate said in a statement issued during the donation ceremony at Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, here today.
MPB group corporate communication general manager Azlan Abdul Aziz handed over the contribution to MRA president Dr Mohd Daud Sulaiman.
Also present were MRA deputy president Khairil Annuar Khalid and MPB group corporate communication department manager Mohamad Farris Effendy Md Salim.
MRA is a humanitarian organisation registered under the Trustees Act 1952, with its primary objective being to assist victims affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts, both domestically and internationally.
Meanwhile, Daud said the donation would be used for emergency assistance and winter aid.
"The emergency aid includes the purchase of medicine, food and water trucking and much more to alleviate the burden of the people of Gaza, especially in the face of attacks, massacres, killings, injuries and the current winter season."
He said the primary focus is on critical winter aid.
"There is a lot of destruction, and they (the residents of Gaza) need protection. Building shelters takes a long time. Therefore, what we need for this winter is aid such as blankets and other items.
"On behalf of the MRA, we have received donations totalling RM2.4 million from the Malaysian public, and these contributions are used for emergency aid projects. We are also in the process of looking at other projects to help the Palestinians.
"We are using various funds to purchase ambulances. So far, we have four ambulances, each valued at US$40,000.
"Our target is to purchase 40 fully-equipped ambulances soon to assist the people in Gaza."
Daud said MRA is employing three strategies to aid the people of Gaza in the current urgent situation.
The strategies are to join forces with other NGOs in the country, collaborate with the government through Wisma Putra in 'Op Ihsan' and working with other NGO partners on the ground to forge personal relationships and strategic partnerships in Gaza.
"We hope we do not lose hope, remain enthusiastic, pray and hope for the best, all while pressing for the Zionist regime to withdraw and give the people of Gaza an opportunity to remain in their homeland and rebuild the country," he said.
The public can contribute to the Media Prima Palestinian Humanitarian Fund through the Muamalat Bank account - 14010008844715 or Maybank account - 564276510331.
