KUALA LUMPUR – Two Malaysian non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Global Peace Mission Malaysia (GPM) and Muslim Volunteer Malaysia (MVM), have set up the Malaysia Humanitarian Centre (MHC) in Kabul, Afghanistan in their efforts to assist the people in the war-torn country.
MHC, which began operating on October 20, functions as an information centre and coordinates humanitarian assistance by GPM, MVM, and other Malaysian NGOs to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those affected throughout 34 provinces in Afghanistan, said GPM chief operation officer Syahrir Azfar Saleh, who is currently in Kabul.
He said there are five components of MHC, namely to provide vocational and language development programmes for women, healthcare services centre for women and children, a mobile clinic, a hostel for Malaysian volunteers, and an administration office for planning and strategic development and coordinating the humanitarian assistance effort.
“The five essential components call for collective effort from other organisations that could offer their expertise in related fields.
“We hope this MHC will give the best services to the people of Afghanistan who are facing difficulties due to the prolonged war conflicts, economic struggles, and instability of the new government,” Syahrir said in a statement.
He estimated that 1,000 people of Afghanistan will benefit from the centre monthly, especially women, orphans, needy families, and victims of the war.
Syahrir, who has been on a humanitarian mission in Kabul since the end of September, said GPM and MVM would also like to invite any NGOs keen to assist the people of Afghanistan to come forward to plan, coordinate and work together with MHC.
“MHC does not belong solely to GPM and MVM per se.
“Coordination and information of the needs throughout the 34 provinces in Afghanistan are essential to ensure the ones who deserve the help will get it,” he said. – Bernama, October 22, 2021
