Mercy Matters: May 2024

The Mercy Relief Impact Wall Mural will serve as a visual representation of our commitment to making a positive impact on the communities we serve, whilst celebrating the achievements Mercy Relief has accomplished over the past two decades.

Through vibrant and engaging artwork, designed and painted by volunteer artists, we aim to:

Highlight Our Mission: The mural will visually depict Mercy Relief's mission to provide timely and effective aid to communities in need, emphasising our core values of compassion, resilience, and empowerment.

Celebrate Achievements: We will showcase relief aid missions and impactful projects undertaken by Mercy Relief over the years, celebrating the positive changes we have brought to the lives of individuals and communities worldwide.

Inspire Engagement: The mural will serve as a source of inspiration for our team, partners, donors, and the community at large, encouraging continued support and active involvement in our humanitarian efforts.

Raise Awareness: By prominently displaying the Mercy Relief Impact Wall Mural, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of humanitarian work and the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations globally.

Stay tuned for a featured article on our lead artist, Shruti Balaji, coming next week.

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Mercy Relief embarked on a second humanitarian mission to deliver essential support to over 50,000 people during the month of Ramadan.

Key Components of the Relief Effort:

1) Canned Food Distribution: Mercy Relief packed and distributed canned food supplies to 6,000 Palestinian refugees, specifically targeting families and individuals facing nutritional challenges. Carefully selected canned food items met essential dietary requirements and provided sustenance during those challenging times.

2) Bread Distribution: Partnering with local bakers in Gaza through our ground partner, Mercy Relief distributed baked bread to 43,800 people, supporting both livelihoods and hunger relief efforts.

3) Iftar Breaking of Fast: In observance of Ramadan, Mercy Relief organised an Iftar Breaking of Fast, bringing together 200 refugees to share a communal meal. This initiative not only addressed the positive well-being of the community but also provided a platform for communal bonding and support.

Mercy Relief Chairman, Satwant Singh, Board Member Chairul Fahmy, and Executive Director Muhammad Ashik were on the ground, leading the relief efforts. Their presence underscored Mercy Relief's commitment to hands-on involvement and a deep connection with the communities.

Satwant Singh expressed, "Iftar holds a special significance during Ramadan in Islam, and we wanted to share a moment of communal solidarity through breaking fast together. Engaging with the affected communities firsthand allowed us to better understand their needs and challenges, ensuring that our relief efforts were effective and responsive."

Third Humanitarian Mission: As announced during our post-mission discussion on the 1st April, Mercy Relief is planning a third humanitarian mission to help the people of Palestine.

Mercy Relief truly appreciates the continued support of our donors, partners and the community at large. Without their contributions, these relief efforts would not have been possible.

Pre-Mission

On the 14th March, Mercy Relief also hosted friends for a pre-mission discussion. The group included followers of various faiths, long-standing supporters, newly formed connections, and dedicated advocates, all united in the spirit of humanity and acceptance.

The event served as a reminder of the power of shared experiences to foster understanding among individuals from different backgrounds. It reflected Mercy Relief's organisation's commitment to inclusivity and empathy in its mission to alleviate suffering and promote dignity for all.

Post-Mission

On the 1st April, Mercy Relief held a reflective session on our second humanitarian mission for Gaza. We were privileged to have Madam Halimah Yacob, former president of Singapore, alongside supportive friends such as Global Ehsan Relief, Anothersole, and RLAF at this meaningful event.

Two members of our ground team, Chairman Satwant Singh and Board Member Chairul Fahmy shared their personal experiences on the ground whilst Executive Director Muhammad Ashik provided updates on our future relief efforts, including plans for our third humanitarian mission.

At Mercy Relief, we passionately believe in the power of youth volunteerism. That's why we partner with schools across Singapore to nurture a new generation of compassionate humanitarians. Together, we're raising awareness and empowering young minds to make a difference in the world, one act of kindness at a time.

Hwa Chong Institution

On the 3rd May, Hwa Chong Institution gave Mercy Relief the opportunity to speak on the conflict in Gaza and what young Singaporeans could do to help with the situation. The students were eager to learn more and really tested our team with their impressive, theoretical questions. Currently, the youths are exploring different ways they can help the communities in Gaza.

Methodist Girls School

On the morning of April 26th, Mercy Relief's CORE team engaged two Secondary One classes over Zoom, sharing the organisation's mission, discussing the disaster management cycle, and recounting our relief efforts. Now, we're preparing for a social media campaign and fundraising project with the two classes, aiming to inspire empathy and action in these young changemakers.

St Joseph's Institution

On the 2nd April, our team was invited down to St Joseph's Institution's VIA Scubilion Fair, where we showcased our humanitarian work and interacted with SJI students.

Their passion for volunteering and interest in our Mercy Overseas Volunteering Expedition were inspiring and we look forward to welcoming SJI students on our future humanitarian endeavors.

Thank you to the staff and students at Hwa Chong Institution, Methodist Girls School and St Joseph's Institution for providing platforms for these outreach initiatives and working with us to strengthen the new generation of humanitarians, and to the students for their support.

Mercy Relief has recently made a significant investment in a new Donor Management System (DMS), in a strategic move to improve donor relationship management, enhance fundraising capabilities, and streamline administrative processes. By leveraging advanced technology, Mercy Relief seeks to strengthen its connections with donors, ensuring long-term support and greater impact in its humanitarian efforts.

We hope you enjoyed the first issue of our Newsletter. To keep up to date on live updates, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.