1 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA The Art of Volunteering Annual Report 2013 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA COVER RATIONALE Our pool of volunteers comes from every colour, race and creed. Because there really shouldn’t be a checklist for those who come forward with open hearts, seeking to give the little of themselves which will make a big difference to someone else. The call to serve overrides every barrier, which is why MERCY Malaysia prides ourselves on being a medical relief society whose volunteers come from every walk of life, united in the belief that they are making a difference in the world. MERCY Malaysia appreciates the dedication and continual support of our volunteers in our work. The The Art of Volunteering commitment of volunteers to our missions in Malaysia and internationally have successfully improved Annual Report 2013 the quality of life for our beneficiaries, proving that the willingness of our volunteers to selflessly give to those in need is an art form they have perfected. 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA CONTENTS MESSAGES OUR WORK 04 From the Chairman of the Board of Trustees 34 Malaysia 05 From the President 53 International 07 From the Executive Director 93 Events and Trainings INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 08 Vision & Mission 104 Secretariat 08 Core Values 106 Field Office Staff and State Chapters 107 Collaborations ABOUT US 108 Society Members 110 Volunteers FINANCIAL STATEMENT 12 MERCY Malaysia’s Strategic Commitments 13 Humanitarian Accountability 16 Our Approach: Total Disaster Risk Management (TDRM) 113 Financial Statements 18 Affiliations 20 MERCY Malaysia Board of Trustees 24 MERCY Malaysia Executive Council GET INVOLVED! 31 Treasurer’s Report 32 Financial Review 4 MESSAGES ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees “Last year was yet another tough year for both the volunteers and the secretariat of MERCY Malaysia, as we were challenged by both natural disasters and human conflicts.” TAN SRI DATO’ AJIT SINGH Chairman of the Board of Trustees This year marks my fifth year as Chairman of MERCY Malaysia’s It is always a source of pride when MERCY Malaysia, its staff and Board of Trustees. Far from being detached from the daily volunteers get recognition for their efforts. Hence we felt greatly operations and challenges facing the organisation, the Board has honoured at being the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Innovation worked closely with the executive and the management of this Award 2013 for best leading non-government organisation estimable humanitarian organisation to uphold and enhance the amongst 61 agencies in Malaysia. We are truly humbled by this positive it continues to enjoy world-wide. Award and it will certainly inspire all of us in the organisation to strive harder and make more improvements particularly in such Last year was yet another tough year for both the volunteers and areas as service, management systems and infrastructure. the secretariat of MERCY Malaysia, as we were challenged by both natural disasters and human conflicts. I would be remiss if I did not say that we share the honour equally with all our donors, corporations, organisations and well-wishers The Philippines witnessed the full fury of mother nature during whose generosity and support continues to enable MERCY the earthquake in Bohol and Typhoon Haiyan. MERCY Malaysia Malaysia to carry its tasks so effectively. was there in next to no time delivering timely medical and health assistance. Malaysia, too, was not spared and MERCY Malaysia had to rush emergency and medical assistance to the flood-hit East Coast. A more sad and tragic situation faced is during political upheavals when civilian casualties and lives are lost or threatened on such a large scale that the world can no longer be seen to be a helpless bystander. In these very dangerous and difficult circumstances, MERCY Malaysia has a track record of holding its own within the ranks of international aid organisations of bringing hope and relief to the hapless victims. Our work in the Syrian crisis is a good example of this. In this connection, the Board commends all volunteers who braved possible danger and harm to bring assistance, support and comfort to those who needed it most. MESSAGES 5 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA Message from the President “These challenges and achievements signify the growing stature of the organisation and the higher level at which it is now operating. The challenges and achievement also mean increased responsibilities and higher expectations of everyone involved in the organisation.” DATO’ DR. AHMAD FAIZAL MOHD. PERDAUS President Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, the hard work that has gone into making our projects in the field the success that they are as well as the partnerships we have built Greetings to members, volunteers, partners and friends of MERCY with our partners over the years. Malaysia, We continued to share our experience from over 14 years in the May the peace and blessings of The Almighty be upon all. field of medical relief and humanitarian work via the International Humanitarian Conference 2013, the third such conference which Indeed the year 2013 saw many challenges and at the same time we’ve organised on a biennial basis since 2009. Held at the Swan great achievements for MERCY Malaysia. These challenges and Convention Centre in Sunway Medical Centre, our theme was achievements signify the growing stature of the organisation and “Sustaining Humanitarian Efforts Over the Long Haul.” It touched the higher level at which it is now operating. The challenges and specifically on the role of Asian humanitarian non-governmental achievement also mean increased responsibilities and higher organisations and civil society organisations in the creation of expectations of everyone involved in the organisation. a ‘Southern’ humanitarian movement, while simultaneously enhancing greater partnerships with established international In 2013, MERCY Malaysia continued to grow both as an humanitarian players and sharing knowledge and information on organisation as well as an international humanitarian relief sustainable humanitarian efforts which would otherwise only be agency. MERCY Malaysia was awarded the Prime Minister’s shared in conferences held in the developed world. Innovation Award 2013 for our Total Disaster Risk Management (TDRM) approach in managing our response to emergencies and We were one of the first responders to the Bohol earthquake disasters. We are the first NGO to obtain this prestigious award. in the Philippines in October, and aided by providing primary There were over 100 candidates vying for this award, which medical care to the affected communities. When Typhoon Haiyan was granted to MERCY Malaysia in view of our ability to apply ravaged the central island of Leyte, Philippines, MERCY Malaysia disaster risk management to all phases of the disaster management responded promptly and successfully deployed our Emergency cycle, while also taking a holistic approach to the deployment of Response Unit (ERU) as an entity for the first time, another major volunteers in our operations. This award is recognition of MERCY milestone for the organisation. We continued to work especially Malaysia’s excellence as well as its ability to innovate processes in Ormoc throughout the emergency and early recovery phases, and methods to optimise positive impact onto the communities bringing much needed medical and humanitarian aid to thousands we assist despite relatively limited resources. of beneficiaries. Earlier in the year, we were also awarded the Better Malaysia We are now in the second phase of Total Disaster Risk Foundation Personality of the Year Award 2013 by Berjaya Management (TDRM) in our Typhoon Haiyan response, with Corporation. This award was also significant as it reflected the the focus being on rehabilitation and the reconstruction of two high level of confidence that the private sector and our private and hospitals and two schools. The Ormoc District Hospital and Leyte corporate donors have towards MERCY Malaysia. It is testimony to Provincial Hospital were both handed over in March 2014. We 6 MESSAGES ANNUAL REPORT 2013 MERCY MALAYSIA Message from the President employed and trained local nurses as part of capacity building for It is therefore of utmost importance for me to thank all the the Ormoc District Hospital. Work continues to be ongoing at supporters, donors, volunteers and other parties who have Nasunogan and Balion Elementary Schools. Our work continues continuously supported MERCY Malaysia throughout 2013 and for community resilience through our psycho-social training beyond. Even beset with more challenging economic times, it is and also in disaster risk reduction programmes in Ormoc and its heartening to see how compassion and empathy can move people surrounding communities, thus going into preparedness earlier from all walks of life and levels of society to do what they can, and than would be done traditionally. A special mention goes to The give what they have to those who have lost so much. Sun newspaper for successfully partnering us in raising funds for the Haiyan response. It is my hope that the spirit of openness and generosity will carry on beyond 2013 so that we too may continue to serve those who The floods which hit Malaysia’s east coast following the Typhoon need us the most. Haiyan disaster a month later challenged MERCY Malaysia on our relief operational strength, fund-raising efforts as well as May we all continue to live well and give generously. our overall management. The organisation was challenged to successfully run two major emergency relief operations at the Thank you same time. It was a test of our capacity as well as mental and emotional strength. We had tremendous support from our partners, donors and supporters as well as unyielding efforts from our staff and volunteers throughout the relief operations for the floods in Kemaman, Terengganu and Kuantan, Pahang.