PETALING JAYA: When Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz assumed the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) chairmanship in 2018, she had little idea of the scale of responsibility that awaited.
The arrival of Covid-19 on our shores two years later kept her busy, coordinating efforts to give aid to the needy and helping with the vaccination programme.
The series of natural disasters such as floods and landslides last year brought even more challenges, which she and MRCS took on courageously.
Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz’s belief in equality motivated her to keep going.
“There is no need to differentiate between race, religion or other backgrounds when it comes to aid.
“We must celebrate our common humanity, which is a fundamental value of the red crescent movement,” she said.
The “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” – which falls on May 8 (today) annually – themed “Be Humankind” this year – reflects that principle.
“No one was spared the impact of the crisis, which has hit the vulnerable the hardest,” added the MRCS chairman.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz said MRCS worked with the authorities to help vaccinate the underprivileged.
These included the Orang Asli communities, homeless, elderly and disabled, as well as undocumented migrants.
“We went where the authorities couldn’t and managed to administer nearly 50,000 doses of vaccines.
“Some of the recipients were wary about going to vaccination centres due to their lack of documentation.
“But we assured them their details would be kept private,” she said.
The floods that hit several states in last December did not escape the notice of Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz.
She said some 3,000 affected families in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor received cash aid from MRCS.
She noted that cash was much preferred among victims, compared to dry food, clothing and other items.
“Giving cash is a recognition of their rights to buy what items they deem to be most appropriate.
“In terms of logistics for us, it is also cheaper compared to transporting donated items to the disaster areas,” she said.
MRCS also deployed seven boats for rescue efforts in Selangor, Pahang and Terengganu, in addition to medical check-up for some 500 victims.
In conjunction with the annual celebration, MRCS is holding a competition on Facebook and Instagram until May 31.
Participants are to post a photo of themselves doing charity with a gesture of the kindness symbol, with #BeHumandkindMalaysia attached.
Winners will be announced within a week and advertised on social media platforms.
For details, visit MRCS’ social media accounts or www.redcrescent.org.my.
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