As health officials continue to urge us to stay at home to stop the spread, we must remember that staying at home is a privilege. Yes, the pandemic is hard for us all, but it is important to acknowledge the different realities others face with underprivileged families being affected the most.

Some members of these disadvantaged groups depend on a daily income to take care of their families and themselves, so the negative economic impact has left them even more vulnerable. Staying at home also poses a threat to women and children who have to live with their abusers.

We must stand together and support these severely affected communities, as well as frontline workers who might be heroes but are also still human – they are struggling to work around the clock with the limited resources available.

NGOs have proven to necessity these past few months, so here’s how you can help:

  1. Donate to emergency food aid boxes

 

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When CMCO was announced in Klang Valley area, our beneficiaries are at risk of losing their daily income once again. They are afraid if they had to endure another hunger experience like during the first MCO. This is because these families heavily depend on their daily wage to buy food. If there’s no income on that day, there is no food on the table and they will sleep with a growling stomach. With CMCO in place, it’s very challenging to earn money and food security becomes their biggest problem. Thus, we receive a lot of food aid requests and we’re doing our best to cater all the needs, to make sure that nobody will sleep with a hungry stomach. Unfortunately, we could not do this alone and we need your help. Help us to support these 700 families and with every ringgit donated to our CMCO Emergency Food Aid Boxes, you are saving these families from hunger. You can donate to our CMCO Emergency Food Aid Boxes at: CIMB Islamic Bank Mercy Mission Malaysia (Charity Right) 8600669196 DM us if you have any questions! #covid19 #kitajagakita #rakyatjagarakyat

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Charity Right Malaysia reduces the burden of families by providing them with a steady supply of meals every month. They aim to keep children in school instead of having to quit and support their family.

2. Buy a meal for someone in need

 

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www.arisoffering.com packaging by @kontekstkl

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Sponsor hearty meals for charity homes through Ari’s Offering. Their social giving programme allows you to make recurring donations with every RM10 contributing to a meal.

3. Help Sabah’s healthcare system

 

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MERCY Malaysia is initiating an Islamic Social Financing (ISF) Fund Raising Program to support Sabah. Your contribution will be used to procure medical equipment which will be endowed (waqaf) to the Ministry of Health. Together, we can help reduce our country’s burdens and save lives. Channel your donation to: MERCY MALAYSIA Maybank Islamic 5642 5858 7606 Reference code: Wakaf COVID19 All your contribution in cash is tax deductible and will be fully used to purchase medical equipment. For more details, please visit www.mercy.org.my/donation, or Contact : Amrul Hazarin (+60 19 399 5854)/ Asyraf Fitri (+60 19 314 0039) Email : zakat@mercy.org.my #kitajagakita #mercywaqaf #islamicsocialfinancing #covid19

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The lack of medical resources, including hospital beds, has Sabah struggling with their overwhelming amount of cases. Mercy Malaysia is raising funds for medical equipment and you can find more ways to help, even with their mental health, here.

4. Support domestic abusive survivors

 

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We are preparing for another spike in domestic violence with the increase of COVID-19 cases. Help us support survivors and continue our life-saving work. ACCOUNT NAME : WOMEN’S AID ORGANISATION BANK ACCOUNT : CIMB BANK BERHAD ACCOUNT NO. : 80-0238299-7 All donations of RM50 and above will receive a tax exempt receipt. (https://forms.gle/qAAM9FDDkR53hhVbA) Your donation will help WAO to operate : – WAO’s 24 hour hotline and TINA WhatsApp / SMS service – Counselling services – The Women’s Refuge – The Child Care Centre – Social Work

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The Women’s Aid Organisation provides mental health and crisis support to women and children who have experienced abuse. Lockdowns, around the world, have caused a rise in domestic violence.

5. Supply frontlines with personal protective equipment

Semporna Heroes helps assist hospital workers, collecting funds to purchase food and medical supplies for frontliners. They also donate carepacks to struggling communities in Semporna.

This is why we need to work together and do our best to help each other out. It may seem like a small act to some, but your donation can make a huge difference!