Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia—A humanitarian aid initiative called “A Circle of Light: Moving Through and Beyond the Coronavirus Crisis,” has been launched by UPF-Malaysia to provide assistance to underprivileged families who have been impacted by COVID-19.
With the support of local governments, Ambassadors for Peace and a committee of the initiative, from April to May 2020, 18 projects involving the distribution of food packages—typically containing rice, powdered milk, instant noodles, and other food items—or sanitary items were carried out in different states across the country, benefiting 1,097 families.
Among the government representatives and organizations who have collaborated with UPF on the initiative include seven state assemblymen and a member of Parliament; the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development – Department of Social Welfare; and the Charity Foundation Association of Penang.
Funding is needed to reach more families, and the initiative is working to raise donations from the public. A donation of RM 50.00 ($12) enables the initiative to provide a food package or sanitary items to a family in the bottom 40 percent of the income distribution in Malaysia, which are families who have a median monthly household income of $600 or less.
A Facebook Page has been created to provide updates on the initiative and also to share positive and timely information. In one month, it has garnered 630 likes and can potentially serve as a fundraising platform to support future projects.