Bersih: Half a million raised for #MakanKongsi but many still going hungry

CORONAVIRUS | The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) and its partner Engage say that despite having raised RM503,376 for their #MakanKongsi relief programme, much more is needed and the government needs to stay on top of the situation to ensure that a humanitarian crisis does not arise.

"With the extension of the movement control order (MCO) by another two weeks till May 12, we expect that the situation of many who are not registered in the official system and are not receiving aid would get worse," said Bersih and Engage in a joint statement today.

"Many who had some money and food at the start of the MCO on March 18 would have run out of their resources by now and facing all means of pressure to stay alive.

"Apart from the lack of food, many are also under pressure from landlords to pay rents and utility bills," they added.

The NGOs expressed their gratitude to 1,647 people who donated to #MakanKongsi over the past month and enabled them to give out 83 small grants totalling RM439,044 to 45 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individual partners who are on the ground providing food vouchers, financial aids and grocery packs to the neediest of communities.

"So far, a total of 16,775 vulnerable people from all ethnicities, nationalities and creeds have benefited from the assistance provided by us," they said.

They reminded the government that while the battle against the Covid-19 virus must be won, the humanitarian crisis created by the MCO must be acknowledged and addressed by the authorities.

"It must be handled by everyone, from the government, NGOs, private sectors, political parties and indeed every citizen.

"No one group or sector could manage the magnitude of this crisis and many communities are still at risk of hunger and starvation," they said.

The groups said they will persist with #MakanKongsi to continue to raise funds from the public and will continue to support its partners and not abandon the beneficiaries who have been receiving groceries and aids that were to last them for only two weeks.

"The solid support we are receiving from our donors is also sending a strong message to our partners and beneficiaries that they are not walking alone but that we are behind you all the way," they said.

For purposes of accountability and transparency, they have put up a link here of the list of partners, grants given, communities served, the number of beneficiaries, donations to date, total disbursement and the balance.

Donations can be made at:

Bank: Maybank

Name: Bersih & Adil Network Sdn Bhd

Account no: 512295102931

Reference: MakanKongsi

Those requiring a receipt can email their banking receipt to info@bersih.org. - Mkini