THE Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) has launched a relief fund to help people in Sabah affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

MRA said they have collected RM100,000 and aim to raise RM300,000 by November.

Its president, Dr Mohd Daud Sulaiman, said the group wanted to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), energy packs and food assistance.

“The escalating Covid-19 situation in Sabah has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 patients in Malaysia.

“Following this, the Sabah MRA continues to provide support to volunteers who are assisting the Health Ministry by providing screening in the Red Zone on the east coast of Sabah,” he said in a statement today.

Apart from the screenings, he said a total of 3,000 basic food packs have been distributed throughout the state since the beginning of conditional movement control order. 

“Sabah MRA also received donations of basic food packs from corporate parties, such as PPB Group Sdn Bhd, MMC Corporation and Celcom Axiata Berhad to those who  need. 

“Meanwhile, PTTEP Sarawak Oil Berhad Company has been willing to contribute RM50,000 for the Covid 19 Emergency Relief Fund 2.0.”

He said Sabah MRA has distributed medical donations such as PPE, oxygen concentrators and other necessities amounting to RM740,000 until yesterday with donations from several large corporate companies such as The Edge and MR DIY.

“There is logistics assistance by POS Malaysia that has brought PPE and medical equipment through cargo flights which are mobilised almost every week since mid-October.

“MRA also cooperates with the National Heart Association of Malaysia (NHAM) with logistical assistance together with POS Malaysia through the delivery of four units of HFNC AIRVO2 breathing machines worth RM 90,000 to Queen Elizabeth 2 Hospital, Kota Kinabalu.”

He added that, so far, the aid has been distributed around Sabah such as Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Beaufort, Sipitang, Tawau, Semporna, Sandakan and most recently in Labuan and will be further expanded in several other areas depending on the funds and contributions received. – October 30, 2020.