My article on Malaysian humanitarian aid as appeared on New Sunday Times (Jan 22, 2012):

GIVING AID WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST

IN 1999, moved by the plight of women and children in Kosovo, which was riven by conflict and crimes against humanity, a Malaysian doctor enlisted five friends from the medical line and together they flew to the country to provide whatever help they could. All at their own expense.

Soon after, realising that there were many others like her who wanted to get involved in humanitarian work, Dr Jemilah Mahmood established Mercy Malaysia (Mercy), a non-profit medical relief organisation.

Dr Jemilah and the other extraordinary Malaysians did more than just provide humanitarian assistance. They had proven what Malaysians today are capable of.

Going against all odds to help others in need, in the country as well as abroad, without a care for the expenses, health and even threat to life and limb, is a reflection of the great progress Malaysians are making in getting out of their comfort zones to take up new challenges.

Humanitarian acts have been carried out since time immemorial. But it was only in the 19th Century that it was given a new lease of life when Henri Dunant established the Red Cross to treat wounded soldiers on both sides of the battlefield.

Since then, humanitarian work has evolved to include missions to aid civilian populations affected or injured by armed conflicts, natural and man-made disasters.

However, the rebirth of such missions was largely based on the Western flavour.

But according to Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, who succeeded Dr Jemilah as president of Mercy in 2003, more and more Asian countries are now undertaking humanitarian missions.

He says that Malaysians, who have benefited tremendously in economic terms over the years, are also more keenly aware of their social responsibilities.

"They are more aware of what is happening in and out of the country and are developing the ability to help others.

"Though our country may be spared from major disasters such as earthquakes and cyclones, we must not close our eyes to the sufferings of our fellow man abroad," Dr Faizal told the New Sunday Times.

While there are numerous Malaysians who aspire to help in humanitarian missions, Dr Faizal says it is not as simple as jumping on the next plane to a disaster or conflict-hit country.

He says humanitarian outreach needs to be done professionally because it requires higher levels of endurance, and there are various national as well as international laws on humanitarian action, governed by a United Nations charter, that all aid organisations must comply with.

"Aid organisations must also be able to collaborate with different parties, including other aid agencies, to ensure a transparent and effective operation," he says, adding that this can also avoid instances of redundancy.

Malaysian disaster-relief groups shot to prominence when Banda Aceh in Indonesia was hit by one of the world's most devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in 2004.

Malaysia was quick to respond by deploying its armed forces to help. Several aid agencies, including Mercy, also wasted no time in heading for the disaster zone.

It was then that Malaysia's humanitarian work started earning global recognition, and some agencies like Mercy have now moved on to greater challenges such as alleviating the suffering of people ravaged by armed conflicts in Gaza and Somalia.

Indeed, the extent of involvement in humanitarian efforts and volunteerism indicates how far a society has developed and an attestation to how much the people's mindsets have evolved.

While it took more than 100 years for Western humanitarian organisations to leave a mark in relief work, Malaysia, despite being very new in the field, has made remarkable strides in less than 10 years.

Dr Faizal says Malaysia's societal paradigm shift has never been so dramatic.

"The majority of Malaysians are not afraid to show that we care. This is evident from the number of volunteers in the country that has now grown into the thousands, serving in many organisations."

He adds that the huge sense of personal satisfaction, knowing that we have helped to alleviate the sufferings of other people, is reward in itself. Even if the people and situations pose so much difficulties.

Dr Faizal encourages more Malaysians to get involved in volunteerism as it helps to develop them as individuals, as they cannot depend "on having the right infrastructure" in the field.

Volunteers, he adds, must be highly motivated and moved by the desire to make a difference in the world.

"Volunteering helps to elevate our minds and repositions us to become first-class citizens.

"Malaysians should be grateful for what we have because we are now at a juncture where we have the resources and capabilities to contribute to international aid, not so much the other way around."

Read more: Giving aid where it’s needed most - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/local/general/giving-aid-where-it-s-needed-most-1.38598#ixzz1lP7P6Kui