NEGARAKU PRIHATIN: HUMANITARIAN MISSION FOR THE ROHINGYAS

iM4U and Malaysian Aviation Industry Join Forces in the Government Led Humanitarian Effort to Help Rohingya Refugees

KLIA, 7 October 2017: Following the personal call from Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak to provide humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh recently, iM4U joins forces with aviation industry players namely Malaysia Airlines, MABkargo, Malindo Air, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) in transporting necessities to be distributed at refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Following sources from international media, over 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state to Bangladesh in what is turning out to be the world's fastest-growing refugee crisis. Malaysia continues to speak out against oppression of the ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar and calls on the world to channel humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees who have sought shelter in Bangladesh. iM4U volunteers representing the Prime Minister’s Office are already in Bangladesh to assess the situation, in order to facilitate and better understand the type of assistance needed.

More support is needed from fellow Malaysians in order to ensure continued assistance to the growing number of Rohingya refugees in desperate need of basic supplies. Members of the public are urged to support this initiative by either donating funds directly to the iM4U Disaster Relief Fund via Maybank account 5643-2460-5701 or donating essential items and sending them to available collection centres in the country.

The transportation of these items is executed through an integrated plan which involves Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air ferrying relief supplies from designated collection centres set up and coordinated by MAHB and iM4U across Malaysia to the Advanced Cargo Centre in KL International Airport (KLIA). The goods will then be delivered to Chittagong, Bangladesh via MABkargo’s A330. The items will be received by the iM4U team that are already there to be distributed at the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh.

“During this international humanity crisis, we have the pleasure of witnessing our nation coming together as one and help those in need. In support of the Malaysian Government in the Humanitarian Mission for the Rohingyas – Caring Nation Drive, we are humbly honoured to be working side by side with the Malaysian aviation industry in ensuring the required necessities are delivered safely to its destination. We encourage everyone to donate as much as they can,” says Rudy Malik, iM4U Chief Executive Officer.

MH6446 will be flying its first mission with up to 30 tonnes of food and other essential items today at 7.15am and is expected to arrive at Shah Amanat International Airport Chittagong, Bangladesh at 8.55am the same day.

The freighter will undertake more missions if necessary.

Some of the essential goods are:

1. Biscuits
2. Pre-mixed oats
3. Milk powder
4. Sanitary pads
5. Soap bar
6. Towels

The collection centers are available from 18 September until 30 October 2017 from 12noon – 10 pm across six locations in Malaysia:

1. Selangor: KL International Airport – Landside Operation Office near the Airport Limo Waiting Area
2. Selangor: Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport – Old Terminal 2
3. Sabah: Kota Kinabalu International Airport - Old Terminal 2
4. Penang: Penang International Airport -MATC
5. Sarawak: Kuching International Airport - MAB Cargo Complex
6. Kelantan: Sultan Ismail Petra Airport – Surau Al Mikraj

The Malaysian aviation industry, together with iM4U stand united with the Malaysian government to support the Bangladeshi government in assisting the Rohingya refugees taking shelter at Chittagong. Malaysians can do their part too by donating the goods and Malaysia Airlines together with MABkargo and Malindo Air will ensure that the goods are delivered safely to the camp.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the managing director of Malaysia Airports applauded the joint collaboration and said that the organisation is always ready to support humanitarian efforts. "Some of our airports across Malaysia have been designated as collection centres as they are deemed ideal for efficient facilitation of the relief supplies. Our teams at the individual airports will provide full assistance to ensure the success of this project," he further added.