SINGAPORE, 1 August 2018– Mercy Relief, Singapore’s homegrown humanitarian non-governmental organisation (NGO), will be deploying a disaster response team to Laos, where the Xepian-Xenamnoy hydropower plant had collapsed on 23 July. The team is on the way to Sanamxay district, one of the province’s worst-hit areas, to ascertain pressing needs and coordinate disaster relief efforts.

Mercy Relief is working very closely with its Laotian ground partners to expedite preparations for relief distribution operations. Immediate needs of affected communities include kitchen utensils, mattress, and mosquito nets.

According to Vientiane Times, the death toll is 11 and 120 people were still missing based on the ground search and rescue mission over the past week. As assessment of damage is still ongoing, the number is expected to rise.

Mercy Relief will continue to monitor the situation in order to determine the next phase of disaster relief.

Mercy Relief will be launching a public fundraising appeal in Singapore from 1 August to 4 September. Members of the public can also make their donations via the following channels:

1) Credit Card donation via Mercy Relief’s website: www.mercyrelief.org

2) Crossed cheque made out to “Mercy Relief Limited” with “Laos Flood 2018 Relief” and email address written on the back of the cheque, and mailed to Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160

3) Cash donations at Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160

4) Fund transfer to Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account 054-900742-0

5) Crowdfund via giving.sg for the “Laos Flood 2018 Relief”: https://www.giving.sg/mercy-relief/laos_flood_relief_2018