MAS-01 team given warm welcome by COBEM members at SMART headquarters

The MAS-01 team was later given a warm welcome by COBEM members at the SMART headquarters in Pulau Meranti, Puchong.

The MAS-01 team was later given a warm welcome by COBEM members at the SMART headquarters in Pulau Meranti, Puchong.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, with the death toll now surpassing 3,500.

Most of the casualties were reported around Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, where more than 2,100 deaths have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, COBEM vice-chairman Joseph Cha Ru expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s willingness to prioritise the humanitarian aid mission, even during major celebrations like Aidilfitri.

“We understand that hari raya is a big celebration in Malaysia, yet they chose to lend a hand to Myanmar immediately, leaving their loved ones behind. They can choose to postpone the mission but they didn’t,” he said.

COBEM supports and advocates for Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia through various programmes, including mobile clinics, youth camps, sports events, community outreach and public advocacy initiatives.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 171,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers are registered in Malaysia.