The Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (BERSIH 2.0) calls on all to come together as a nation and support each other in this uphill task fighting off the COVID-19 outbreak, which has infected 1030 persons and claimed three lives since January 2020.
The fight against the COVID-19 cannot be dependent solely on the government. The government’s effort will not be effective without the support and cooperation of the people nationwide. We the people must play our part, in fact a big part, to contain the outbreak, reduce the confirmed cases and end it eventually.
As in any democratic society with a vibrant civil society, many civil society organizations have started to take important actions to fight the COVID-19 outbreak in different ways. BERSIH 2.0 would like to highlight some of the initiatives of civil society organizations as below and call on the public to support them financially or in kind or as volunteers:
- #MakanKongsi – Food Vouchers for the Vulnerable, a joint effort by member organization of BERSIH 2.0, ENGAGE with Friends & Strangers. The initiative aims to provide 2 meals daily for free from 23rd March till 5th April 2020 to 120 identified individuals who are who are vulnerable and at risk in around Johor Bahru due to the Movement Control Order (MCO). Many of these are either homeless or earn daily wages and do not have work or income for the next two weeks till 31st March 2020. The organisers of this project has raised about three times of the fund that is needed and have stopped receiving any donation. For more information, please check www.facebook.com/engage.my. We urge such initiatives to be replicated else where to assist more vulnerable community.
- #FrontlinersFirst by Projek Wawasan Rakyat (POWR) and KiddoCare (www.kiddocare.my) in Klang Valley. The project aims to support our hardworking Ministry of Health (MOH) staff with urgent childcare requirements during the Movement Restriction Order (MRO) and keep their families in safe hands.. POWR aims to fundraise in order to support at least 75% of the childcare costs. If we can raise more funds, we hope to offer even larger subsidies. Donations can be made to: 14023010011219, Bank Islam, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM).
- Appeal for donation in the form of money or materials such as mineral water, face mask, gloves and hand sanitiser by Dapur Jalanan Kuala Lumpur and Liga Rakyat Demokratik. The project aims to distribute these essential materials on a regular basis to those who are poor, homeless, and marginalised without the means to secure such essential materials to prevent infection of COVID-19. For those who wish to contriute or need such materials, please contact +6013-493 5719 (Arifin Amin).
- #kitajagakita COVID-19 Assistance links kind-hearted individuals with verified listings of organizations and community groups working to assist those badly affected by the Movement Control Order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups involved in this platform include Hospital Cleaner‘s Union, Mercy Malaysia, The Lost Food Project, Pit Stop Community Cafe, etc. Whether you are seeking assistance or seeking to help others, this platform helps to connect you to organizations that offer cash and food donations, volunteer services and support. For more information, please visit www.kitajaga.us
These are just some of the initiatives of civil society and the list is certainly not exhaustive. We believe more such initiatives are needed in many areas nationwide if we as a nation is to win this battle against COVID-19 outbreak.
BERSIH 2.0 calls for more public support for these initiatives so that we will get through this and we will get through this together.
Released by,
Steering Committee of BERSIH 2.0