Malaysia Airlines And MERCY Malaysia Unite To Raise Funds For Charity

SUBANG, 19 October 2009 - Malaysia Airlines and MERCY Malaysia today sealed a 3-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a fund-raising campaign named ‘Change for Charity’. The purpose of this campaign is to generate contribution from passengers on-board Malaysia Airlines with proceeds channeled to aid organizations and charitable trusts.

This is part of Malaysia Airlines’ corporate social responsibility programme and allows both organizations to establish a framework for strategic collaboration in humanitarian assistance.

The MoU was signed by Malaysia Airlines Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Munir Abdul Majid and MERCY Malaysia Honorary Secretary, Raja Riza Shazmin Raja Badrul Shah. Signing as witnesses were Malaysia Airlines External Relations’ Senior General Manager, Dato’ Capt. Mohd. Nawawi Haji Awang and MERCY General Manager Mohd Shaharuddin Asmani.

“Malaysia Airlines and MERCY Malaysia has had a partnership since 2004 to provide support and relief to victims of natural disasters and has experienced successful fund raising activities in MH ticketing offices to further the cause. However, this is a significant day as we strengthen our partnership by enabling Malaysia Airlines passengers worldwide to also contribute to worthy causes,” said Dr. Munir.

He said that Malaysia Airlines to date has generated over RM85,000 in funds, contributed by passengers through MERCY Malaysia donation boxes, which are placed at the carrier’s ticketing offices.

Under the MoU, MERCY Malaysia will also implement volunteer opportunity programmes for Malaysia Airlines staff in order to train them for possible participation in relief missions within Malaysia and beyond.

“To extend Malaysia Airlines’ contribution beyond monetary value, suitable and trained employees can be deployed based on the needs on the ground, skill sets and experience. This is also aimed at contributing to society in a meaningful and responsible manner,” said Dr. Munir.

Through this partnership over the years, aid and relief have been given to victims of natural disasters like the tsunami in 2004, earthquake tragedies within Asia in 2005 and 2006, as well as the Johor flood disaster in 2006.

“We are grateful to Malaysia Airlines for their assistance in raising funds and volunteers as well as in promoting our visibility as a medical relief organization internationally. With this partnership, MERCY Malaysia is confident of improving our continuous services and response to disasters globally,” said Raja Riza.

“The ‘Change for Charity’ campaign is an innovative avenue for us to consolidate our efforts. We are confident that both organizations will reap mutual benefits and look forward working closely with our national carrier,” she added.

In conjunction with the ‘Change for Charity’ campaign, sealable envelopes will be provided in the back pocket of every seat. This is to provide ease for passengers to place their spare change in. The envelopes will be collected by the cabin crew, placed in tamper-proof bags and subsequently stowed in a safe container. Upon arrival of the flight, the proceeds will be handed over to MERCY Malaysia.

“We are looking for contributions preferably in the form of cash notes and coins. Other forms of money i.e. cheques, bank drafts, money orders, telegraphic transfers may be considered and mutually agreed on case to case basis. In view of the logistics, we will not be able to accept non-monetary contributions for this campaign,” said Raja Riza.

To kick off the campaign, the collection will be conducted onboard selected Malaysia Airlines’ international flights, not on domestic flights. However, passengers who are keen to contribute can do so at the MERCY Malaysia donation boxes placed at Malaysia Airlines ticket offices.

Funds collected through this initiative will be channeled towards the following humanitarian aid efforts identified:

• Cleft Lip and Palate Programme in Bangladesh and Cambodia
• Disaster Risk Reduction Programme for schools in Malaysia
• Rehabilitation Health Centres set up in Cambodia
• Oral Rehydration Therapy
• Emergency Fund – Humanitarian relief

“We have found a good partner in MERCY Malaysia as we’ve formed an ideal avenue to consolidate our humanitarian and disaster relief support through an established and internationally recognized Malaysian organization. We will endeavor to ensure meaningful engagement of both our passengers and staff for the continued success of this partnership,” Dr. Munir said.

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