KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) – MERCY Malaysia has called on communities, government agencies, the private sector and humanitarian partners to strengthen collective efforts in disaster preparedness and risk reduction to create safer and more resilient environments.
MERCY Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said preparedness among communities as well as the organisation’s staff and volunteers before disasters strike should become part of everyday practice.
“Preparedness must begin before a crisis occurs. Communities need the knowledge and support to understand the risks they face and take action to protect themselves and their families. At MERCY Malaysia, we believe building resilience is a collective responsibility.
“It means strengthening preparedness among our own staff and volunteers, and working alongside communities, government agencies and humanitarian partners to reduce risks and protect lives,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was observed today.
MERCY Malaysia supports disaster preparedness through initiatives such as Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), community-based early warning systems and school preparedness programmes to help communities identify local hazards, understand their vulnerabilities and take practical steps to strengthen preparedness.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on Oct 13, with this year’s theme, ‘Resilience Starts at Home’, emphasising the role of households and communities in understanding local risks, taking preventive measures and preparing for emergencies.
-- BERNAMA