Unicef thanks Malaysians for RM5m Nepal quake donations
Malaysians generosity was at the forefront yet again when RM5 million was raised in direct donations for children and families affected by the massive Nepal quakes last year.
In this regard, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) Malaysia, said that it was overwhelmed with the generous support and thanked the Malaysian donors.
In a statement issued today, Unicef representative in Malaysia, Marianne Clark-Hattingh, said that due to such donations, the organisation was able to provide rapid emergency response to children affected by both earthquakes in April and May last year, described as the worst in over 80 years.
“As children are often the worst affected by emergencies, we were able to reach children most in need with supplies and services, especially in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes,” she said.
Clark-Hattingh added that Unicef was also thankful to community organisations and corporate partners that came together after the disaster to donate towards efforts on the ground in Nepal, especially from the large Nepalese community in Malaysia.
“In emergencies, we hold both responsibility and trust. On one hand, our commitment and responsibility to children and families whose lives have been so devastatingly affected, and on the other, the trust of our donors to ensure that life-saving interventions reach children in need.
“We take both the responsibility and trust invested in us very seriously and are deeply grateful to everyone who gave so generously in making a very real difference to the lives of children in Nepal,” she said.
Together with other development partners, Unicef said it would continue to work with the Nepali government at national and local levels to ensure that children are protected and provided with the right support to survive and thrive.
The April 25, 2015 earthquake and its aftershocks killed more than 8,700 people, injured over 22,000 and destroyed and damaged over a quarter million houses.
While 8.1 million people were directly affected, millions across the mainly rural nation were exposed to increased landslides.
- Bernama
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