JENJAROM, May 18 (Sin Chew Daily) — Welfare organizations in Malaysia are encountering declining cash donations, shortage of food two months into the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) to contain COVID-19.

For the third time, Yayasan Sin Chew, Sin Chew Daily and Fo Guang Shan Malaysia initiated a relief campaign to deliver food items such as rice, bottled water and biscuits to some 100 welfare homes in Klang Valley.

More than 10 vans gathered at Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom to pick up the goods to be delivered to 60 old folks' homes and orphanages in Klang Valley.

Yayasan Sin Chew, Sin Chew Daily and Fo Guang Shan Malaysia had delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline medical staff in their first joint relief operation. In their second operation, the three organizations contributed cash and face masks to welfare organizations.

The third joint venture was to assist 100 welfare homes nationwide. The vans were delivering to 62 welfare centers in Klang Valley. Anther 50,000 face masks were to be distributed too.

Karihome under Orient EuroPharma sponsored 1,000 bags of 10kg rice; Hygiene Care Products 500 bottles of hand sanitizes; ACE Canning 100 boxes of Soyfresh packet drinks; Thong Thye Siang 20 boxes of Milo, 40 boxes of instant noodles and 40 boxes of Bentoree instant rice; Hup Seng 84 boxes of biscuits; Julie's Marketing 20 boxes of cream crackers; Promac Enterprise 20 boxes of milk powder and 20 boxes of oat; Chop Tong Guan and Advansia jointly contributed 110 boxes of apples, oranges and pears.

Siew Nyoke Chow, deputy chairman of Yayasan Sin Chew, expresses her gratitude to all the sponsors. The third round of relief campaign was made possible with dedicated coordination from monks, nuns and volunteers from Fo Guang Shan,

Siew believes the relief campaign spearheaded by the three organizations is the largest among civil organizations in the country so far.

"Up till now we have donated PPEs to more than 80 hospitals and clinics nationwide,'' she said.

Senior citizens, children, people suffering from severe illnesses and the disabled have been identified as high risk groups, she said.

By extending support to welfare organizations to look after these people, it would help minimize their risk of infection. By doing so, the burden of medical staff and the medical resources would be reduced.

Venerable Jue Cheng, the chief abbess of Fo Guang Shan for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, said the collaboration with Sin Chew Daily and Yayasan Sin Chew helped spread love to the world.

"We try our best to help so that we can help protect our planet by contributing our effort,'' she said.

Ven. Juen Cheng said the COVID-19 pandemic had taught us to be responsible for the world.

"We should be law-abiding citizens. Do not relax just because situation is improving now. We should continue to observe social distancing, maintain good personal hygiene, protect ourselves and others."

She also said, we all have learned that everyone is equal in this world. The virus will not choose the rich or the poor to infect.

Regardless of ethnic group, gender and age, everyone should respect and help one another.

Ven. Jue Cheng also reminded everyone to contribute and be grateful that we could enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.