The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world, with many healthcare organisations, government bodies and individuals here in Malaysia working tirelessly to ensure the infected receive the best possible care. Below are just some of the ways you can help play a part with financial aid.
1. Ministry of Health
The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) is now accepting donations which will be used for medical necessities the likes of equipment, medicines, and disposable items to aid the efforts of hospitals and those working in the frontline. The Star has reported that the ministry has set up a special medical contribution RHB bank account at 2-66016-0002347-5, with more information to be found via contacting 03-8883 3111 or emailing sumbangancovid19@moh.gov.my. The Ministry of Finance has also announced that there will be tax deductions for contributions to the Covid-19 fund.
2. Mercy Malaysia
Volunteer relief organisation Mercy Malaysia has created a donation fund to purchase 20 respiratory aids for intensive care units at selected government hospitals. All donations to the non-profit organisation’s cause will be tax exempt.
3. Support Local Restaurants
Our friends in the culinary scene are braving the movement control order (MCO) to continue delivering gourmet foods to our doorstep, despite facing financial difficulties. Thankfully, quite a number of them are still operational, meaning that we can support them with just a phone call away.
4. Fashion Valet Founders’ Kitafund
Entrepreneurs Vivy Yusof and Fadza Anuar have started a support fund on behalf of IMAM Response & Relief Team (IMARET) via Kitafund and Simply Giving, successfully managing to raise RM1.14 million at the time of this writing. All proceeds will help mobilise volunteers to assist health facilities, those who have been hospitalised and quarantined and providing medical and general supplies to hospitals.
5. The Biji-Biji Group
A collective effort between Biji-biji Initiative, Me.reka and Taylors Me.reka Makerspace, this initiative plans to offer a relief strategy for those working in the front line fighting Covid-19. They have identified a critical shortage of personal protective equipment, specifically face shields, of which an estimated 51,850 is needed with the help of a target sum of RM110,200. According to the group, “face shields alone do not provide 100 per cent protection, however, when used with N95 or surgical masks the front liners receive full-face protection. The estimated need for this equipment is up to 40,000 units per month per hospital”.
6. Kesatuan Pekerja Swasta Hospital Kerajaan
The Hospital Cleaner’s Union, whose members play a vital role at keeping hospitals clean, are seeking donations to purchase necessities that will help them carry our their duties through this dire period.
7. The Edge
Business publication The Edge has set up two funds for big businesses – The Edge Covid-19 Equipment Fund and Covid-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund. The former will go towards medical equipment while the latter to healthcare workers who have been infected while caring for patients. As of March 23, the equipment fund managed to raise a total of RM8.3 million, while the workers’ fund sits at RM7.25 million. If you wish to contribute, email corpcomm@bizedge.com or call Charis Tan at 03-77218192.
8. Zoo Negara Malaysia
The national zoo’s animals need love too and a lack of visitors means a lack of funds that go towards keeping the animals’ healthy. The Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organisation that manages the zoo, needs your help adopting animals to ensure they are well fed and remain happy through this period. At Ticket2u, the various animals up for adoption include a giraffe, a Malayan sun bear, a white tiger, a cheetah, an orang-utan and more. Donations can be made to Maybank account 514422103830, to find our more information email pr@zoonegaramalaysia.my.
9. Gates Philanthropy Partners
The Gates Foundation has committed $100 million globally to fight coronavirus, but it’s using all donations to the Combat Covid-19 Fund to support organisations to develop the most promising vaccines and diagnostics and protect the most vulnerable people. They also have a Covid-19 Therapeutics Accelerator Fund, which supports organisations to expedite the process of getting new treatments to market quickly.
10. United Nations Foundation’s Covid-19 Response Fund
The United Nations has set up a Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organisation (WHO). Donations to the fund will support WHO’s work to track and understand the spread of the virus, to ensure patients get the care they need and that frontline workers get essential supplies and information. Proceeds will also go towards accelerating the efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments.
