Press

Kiwanis Malaysia to raise RM 100,000 for UNICEF's Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal

PRESS RELEASE

Kiwanis Malaysia District Governer Doris Choo presents a mock-cheque for RM 80,000 to UNICEF Representative to Malaysia, Youssouf Oomar, to kick-start its fundraising drive in support of the Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal.

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2010 - Kiwanis Malaysia has once again stepped forward to say yes to children in emergencies, this time supporting the "Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal" by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). In 2008, the organisation helped UNICEF with its Appeal for the Myanmar cyclone.

District Governor Doris Choo announced that the District has set a target to raise RM 100,000 (US$ 29,240) to be sent through UNICEF since the UN children’s agency already has an organisational infrastructure in place in Haiti.”

Some 1,400 members will be mobilised for the fundraising drive, in resonance with Kiwanis International’s global theme for 2010 “Make Time to Make a Difference”.

To kick off the effort, Governor Doris presented RM 80,000 (US$ 23,392) to UNICEF Representative to Malaysia Mr. Youssouf Oomar at a press event held at the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation’s National Centre Headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

In thanking Kiwanis Malaysia and all who have donated so far, Mr. Youssouf said that the funds will make it possible for UNICEF to rebuild children’s lives and give them the childhood they deserve.

“Your support offers an assurance to the children of Haiti that there is someone to depend on in times of need,” added Mr. Youssouf. “UNICEF is in Haiti today because of individuals and agencies like you … and we will be there long after the news crews leave, bringing hope to children and families affected by the quake.”

As of 20 January, UNICEF Malaysia has received RM 114, 241 (US$ 33,404), mainly online contributions.

To make a donation to the "Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal", please visit our donation site.

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Haiti Earthquake 2010
On 12 January 2010, a 7.3 earthquake - the most powerful to hit Haiti in a 100 years - struck shortly before 5 p.m. and was centered about (15 kilometers) southwest of Port-au-Prince. The epicenter was in Carrefour and the affected area is the West Province. The quake was quickly followed by several strong aftershocks from 5.9 to 5.0 magnitude. Assessments suggest that some 3 million people -- half of whom are likely children -- are affected by the disaster.

§ Haiti and her people

§ About the earthquake

For more information, please contact:

Hwang Chia Sing
District Secretary, Kiwanis Malaysia
Tel +603 7955 1575 , E-mail: kiwanismalaysia@kiwanis.org.my

Indra Kumari Nadchatram
UNICEF Media - Communications, Malaysia
Tel +6012 292 6872, E-mail: inadchatram@unicef.org

Anne Selvarani Albert
UNICEF Media - Fundraising, Malaysia
Tel +6016 233 0231, E-mail: asalbert@unicef.org