Mercy Relief’s International Programme focuses on disaster relief, emergency preparedness and risk mitigation for crisis-stricken and disaster-prone communities, and sustainable development initiatives for poor and disadvantaged communities in Asia focusing on healthcare, water and sanitation, education, shelter and sustainable livelihoods.
MR’s humanitarian action is guided by the four principles of engagement to uphold humanity, maintain impartiality, neutrality and respect the sovereignty of the state.
Natural disasters are inevitable, and they often occur with little or no notice. Cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons are all forces of nature. Environment abuse has led to the increase of natural disasters.
The right strategy of partnership with local and international organisations makes it possible for Mercy Relief to deliver aid in a timely and effective manner.
Timeliness of aid is key to any acute crisis so as to prevent further damage or loss of lives. Mercy Relief strives to reach the affected areas within 72 hours from the occurrence of the disaster in the region, focusing primarily on the provision of medical relief and other basic needs to the survivors.
The decision to respond hinges primarily on appeals for assistance made by the national, provincial or local governments of the affected areas, or on appeals by the United Nations on behalf of the affected country or countries. This is in line with the general philosophy of respecting the sovereignty of the affected state/s.
Mercy Relief’s modus operandi for emergency relief operations is encompassed by three phases:
The Acute Relief Phase
A primary response team will evaluate first-hand the situation, and attend to the basic needs for survival of the victims such as food, water and shelter and medical needs at the affected areas. The appropriate relief operations are then developed and implemented accordingly.
The Rehabilitation Phase
Rehabilitation efforts usually commence as soon as the ground conditions stabilise. Mercy Relief provides system tents as temporary shelters for classes to be resumed, such that the child victims have platforms to socialise, learn and play with their peers. This allows for the diversion of their minds from the trauma, and is a subtle method of psychological rehabilitation.
This is also the time where the local authorities and the humanitarian community discuss and decide on the reconstruction plans.
The Reconstruction Phase
Mercy Relief’s reconstruction philosophy is to help put the victims’ derailed lives back on track to normalcy, through the provision of schools, orphanages, medical facilities, public amenities (e.g. bridges) and livelihood opportunities (e.g. fishing vessels), including disaster preparedness and mitigation programme for disaster-prone communities.
Throughout, Mercy Relief personally manages its own projects.
Mercy Relief’s reconstruction philosophy is to help put the victims’ derailed lives back on track to normalcy, through the provision of schools, orphanages, medical facilities, public amenities (e.g. bridges) and livelihood opportunities (e.g. fishing vessels), including disaster preparedness and mitigation programme for disaster-prone communities.
Education
Creating or enabling access to better education is often one of the most effective ways to combat chronic poverty. Improving educational infrastructures, building better and more effective educational resources, enabling children from impoverished families to go back to schools or to continue education, and enhancing teachers’ skills and knowledge are all possible areas for intervention.
Healthcare
Lack of access to decent healthcare poses a major obstacle to overcoming poverty. Enhancing healthcare infrastructures and systems, reducing the risks and burden of disease, and strengthening skills and knowledge of healthcare workers can improve life expectancy and the quality of life.
The under-management of social issues like improper water use and sanitation, hygiene practices, and limited healthcare awareness, mostly due to the lack of funds, has led to the lack of knowledge and understanding on health issues such as diseases at both disaster-stricken and poverty-stricken areas.
Shelter
Shelter is critical for survival as it provides security, personal safety, protection from the elements and enhanced resistance to ill health and disease. A proper habitat sets the foundation to an environment of normalcy.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Livelihood programme is necessary to ensure communities are self-reliant, resilient to future disasters, and empowered to manage their lives in a sustainable manner while protecting the environment that they are in.
Peacetime is when trust and confidence can and should be built to ensure that when a disaster strikes, there is greater chance of reducing the suffering and further loss of lives because timely and necessary assistance can be accessed and implemented based on the relationships built. Risk reduction is often seen in physical, technological, structural and environmental terms. Risk reduction strategy must also take into account capacity building, community development and poverty alleviation – all of which is about enabling people to help themselves, to build their own risk reduction methods.
Since 2008, Mercy Relief has embarked on longer-term and sustainable development projects in Indoneisa, China, the Philippines and Vietnam aimed at uplifting the lives of impoverished, disadvantaged and rural communities in these countries.
Mercy Relief’s Development projects complement its Emergency Relief operations as communities which are better developed and resourced are able to respond better to crises, including natural disasters. This is the essence of disaster risk reduction. The emphasis is on capacity building, inculcating self-reliance and sustainability, and empowering beneficiaries to transform their environment for a better quality of life.
Seeking the Effective Approach
It is imperative for humanitarian implementors to understand the primary needs and outlook of rural and affected communities. The five focus areas of water & sanitation, shelter, livelihood, healthcare and education are intimately connected, hence the need to address them in a holistic fashion.
Immediate and tangible benefits appeal greater to these communities. However, Mercy Relief’s emphasis is on gradual, objective and comprehensive communal needs over immediate and subjective personal wants.
Water & Sanitation
Water is life. Access to adequate safe water for consumption and livelihoods is key to any community’s development. Effective sanitation systems and sound hygiene cultures are vital to reducing the burden of diseases and environmental health risks. Properly processed waste can be used as alternative energy (biogas) or nourishment (fertiliser) for agricultural produce.