History

As one of a mere handful of southern-based international organisations, our roots are humble. It all began in 1999, amidst a raging war in Kosovo where thousands of lives were lost and suffering was widespread. Moved by the plight of countless innocent civilians, especially women and children, Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, a Malaysian obstetrician-gynaecologist, sought to offer her services voluntarily.

Finding no national organisation ready to support such international crises, together with a handful of like-minded friends, the Malaysian Medical Relief Society – better known today as MERCY Malaysia – was established. MERCY Malaysia aimed to provide a platform for Malaysians to unite and take their role in the international humanitarian arena.

Dr. Jemilah Mahmood led the first mission to Kosovo in June of 1999. Several missions followed and teams were made up of Malaysians from all walks of life with the single goal of helping others, regardless of race, religion, culture or boundary.

Over the last decade, the organisation has blossomed with teams sent to disaster-stricken zones and programmes rolled out in various countries and in different disasters. As a registered society under the Societies Act, MERCY Malaysia has over 500 members and is supported by approximately 5,000 registered volunteers to date.

Our mission and core values

All staff and volunteers are to uphold the MERCY Malaysia Mission and Core Values in performing their duties at the Headquarters, Country Field Operations and any locations where staff and volunteers are required to represent the organisation.

MERCY Malaysia is a non-profit organisation focusing on providing medical relief, sustainable health related development and risk reduction activities for vulnerable communities in both crisis and non-crisis situations.

Our Core Values are:

Motivation: We are highly motivated and passionate

Excellence: We do the right things in the right way; we are accountable to beneficiaries and donors

Respect: We show trust and respect in all our interactions

Collaborations: Working with peers, partners and volunteers builds each others’ strengths & enhances the impacts for beneficiaries

Yearn to Serve: We will go the extra mile to help those in need

Mercy Malaysia