Mercy Malaysia provides emergency response towards Syrian civilians

MERCY Malaysia is deeply concerned with the safety of Syrian civilians in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, pointing out that almost all of Idlib's medical facilities and major hospitals have been attacked and destroyed four days prior to the alleged chemical attack on April 4.

"We are deeply saddened and appalled by the reports of warring parties that fail to uphold their obligation to protect civilians in war and abide by International Humanitarian Law," MERCY Malaysia President, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Perdaus, said in a MERCY Malaysia statement, here today.

MERCY said that the alleged attacks on the Syrian civilians sent an alarming signal to the international community, where the death toll have risen to 86 including 30 children and 20 women according to the Syrian monitoring group 2017).

In this, MERCY Malaysia has deployed Emergency Response (ER) team of two medical personnel, an officer, and one logistician to the crisis in order to re-assess the needs on the ground and prepare for further intervention according to the capacities and mandate in view of the latest escalation.

Apart from the distribution of medicines to affected hospitals in Idlib and border areas, the deployment also aims to monitor the ongoing projects in the border of Syria and Turkey, for two weeks commencing since Thursday to April 24, 2017.

MERCY Malaysia is calling for the public to support its humanitarian effort that has become increasingly urgent due to the current situation in Idlib Province.

Donations can be made to MERCY Malaysia's Syria Relief Fund by logging on to www.mercy.org.my. -- Bernama