Having served the evacuees at the second worst-hit prefecture of Iwate over the last two weeks, MR expanded its area of service to include Miyagi yesterday.  MR’s Team 3 arrived at an evacuation centre in the coastal Kesensuma City, within the Miyagi prefecture, to deliver hygiene kits including toothbrushes and pastes, wet wipes, sanitary napkins and adult diapers which are the specific needs at the centre.

MR Chief Executive Hassan Ahmad shared, “As more remote areas become accessible, MR’s team on the ground is able to reach out to more beneficiaries by carefully planning our supply routes  to prioritize distribution at areas where relief supplies require replenishment. While most evacuees are acclimatising to the living environment at the evacuation centres, it is imperative that the people’s spirits are bolstered by ensuring that their customary hygiene practices are addressed.”

MR will expand its engagement at Miyagi, over the next week, with more relief supplies slated to be delivered there.

MR is currently serving the affected areas which are a safe distance outside the radiation-hazard zone (officially 30km radius of the nuclear reactors’ location).  The MR teams are equipped with radiation sensors to help detect and monitor the radiation levels at the locations of their operations.

To further facilitate and ensure the team’s safety and quick evacuation, a dedicated unit at the MR Headquarters in Singapore is monitoring the radiation alerts and advice from the Japanese Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Fundraising Efforts in Singapore –Day 14

Total donations received (from all modes) : S$ 975,214

Including Sunday’s Street collection (283/ 542 cans counted as at 6pm) : S$ 37,645

Island-wide Street Collection (11am –7.30pm)

More than 650 volunteers, of all walks and ages,  sweated and plied the streets all over Singapore to encourage the islanders to give towards the JET relief fund.  Starting at MR’s office in Toa Payoh, the volunteers were stationed at 7 collection centres – Jurong Point; Bugis Village carpark; Woodlands MRT; Harbourfront; Scape @ Orchard and Bukit Panjang CC.  Local engineering and construction firm, HSL Constructor, with more than 150 staff involved, helped MR to anchor the Event by manning 5 of the 7 collection centres, with the Parent Support Group of Bukit Panjang Primary School manning another.

(HSL Constructor Managing Director Lim Choo Leng receiving the donation from SM Goh at Marine Parade.)

We are inspired by the Japanese’s reaction towards the disaster. We all know that natural disasters will never go away. At HSL, we will continue our best to raise as much funds as we can to help the needy through our support to Mercy Relief” Mr Lim Choo Leng, Managing Director of HSL Constructor.

Other Fundraising activities

SUNDAY, 27 MARCH 

1.     Gambatte Japan from Singapore @ Boat Quay (11.00am –11.00pm)

Organized by Boat Quay Group of Restaurants/ BITZ Entertainment/ Vivid Creations.  An outdoor carnival which includes jazz, classic, dance and painting performances. 33 participating restaurants introducing a special item on their menus, with part of sales to MR. Donation cans will be placed at participating outlets.  Emcee, performing groups, balloon artists engaged by Bitz Entertainment pro bono.  Charity auction at L’Operetta. 20 CD Lionhearters from the Singapore Polytechnic (SP) supported the logistics and roved around the CBD area with donation cans to encourage the public to contribute.

2.     Heart Rock @ Hard Rock (6.00pm –11.00pm)

Organhised by Monochrome, they will perform with 10 other local bands at Hard Rock Café (venue sponsor) for the evening.  Wrist bands and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (all sponsored) will be sold throughout. All proceeds to MR.

3.     Spin for Charity @ Urban Fitness Lab, Boat Quay

Organized by Trigon Squad Cycling Team. Cyclists pay minimum S$10 to spin for 45mins at the spin studio.  Donation drive runs through whole of next week with scheduled classes. All proceeds to MR.

4.     Help Japan @ Haji Lane

After a successful run of Gambatte Japan! last week, The Haji lane outlets will have their own volunteers to rove around Bugis area with placards to publicise and encourage the public to head to Haji Lane to donate for the JET relief fund.  Donation cans at all partipating outlets.

SATURDAY, 26 MARCH 

1.     Ubi Caritas Fundraising Concert @ SJI Library (5.15pm –6.30pm)

6 choirs come together with the theme Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est – Where charity and love are, God is there.
St. Joseph’s Institution Vocal Ensemble, Dunman Secondary School Choir, Catholic Junior College Choir, Raffles Chorale, Raffles Voices, Raffles Voices Alumni
Minimum donation sum of $10 will be collected at the door. All proceeds to MR.

2.     The Arts House @ Old Parliament House (11.00am –8.00pm)

The Arts House Open House Day. The last item of the day Lyrical Parley -‘Singapore’s first ever Rap Debate on the topic: Do you commend the world we live in?’ is organised by Sheik Heikel & Anna Belle Francis. Sheik Heikel will also be auctioning a Baby G. All proceeds to MR.

3.     Belly-dancing performance @ NEUVA CUBA (8.00pm)

Organized by Belly-dance Discovery Pte Ltd.  Audience minimum donation S$100 per person.  All proceeds to MR.

4.     ClubSNAP Photofundraiser @ Pacific Plaza & Far East Plaza (26-27 Mar); @ The Central (2-3 April) (starts 11.00am)

With every donation of $10 or more, photographers from ClubSNAP will provide an instant 4R print as a token of gratitude and remembrance. These photos would be uploaded on its facebook page, where donors could extend well wishes to those in Japan. The project is supported by Far East Organization, Nikon Singapore and Noritsu.  The event will run for 3 weekends, on 26th and 27th of March, 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th of April.  All proceeds to MR.

Donations will be used to address the most pressing basic needs including food, water, blankets and other essentials which will be procured on the ground for now.

About Mercy Relief

Mercy Relief is a Singaporean humanitarian organisation which engages in both disaster relief and sustainable development programmes. It was established in 2003 as an independent non-governmental humanitarian charity responding to the human tragedies in Asia. Mercy Relief’s aid programme focuses on providing timely and effective assistance to disaster-stricken communities and has maintained the delivery of emergency aid within 72 hours from the point of appeal for assistance.  

In the past 12 years, Mercy Relief has disbursed over S$32 million in aid across 40 disaster relief and 53 sustainable development initiatives. Mercy Relief has impacted an aggregate of 2 million lives in 24 countries and areas, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal,  Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Yemen.

For more information, you may call us at 6514 6322 or email corporateaffairs@mercyrelief.org

Share this article!
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •