KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) is providing RM50,000 in financial contributions to aid the Rohingya ethnic group in Myanmar.

MRA president Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Kechik said the funds, to be disbursed in two days, are to help the persecuted minority with basic food items and non-food items, especially blankets.

“From the fund, each family will get RM300, wherein RM100 will be allocated to buy blankets, and RM200 for food items,” he told a press conference at the Al-Islam Specialist Hospital in Kampung Baru here today.

Abdul Razak said the funds will be sent through trusted activists in Myanmar, including Muslims in the area, and monks.

He said the MRA has identified areas in Maung Daw in North Arakan state, populated with internally-displaced persons, which need help and support.

“The problem is worrying, as (winter) is approaching. The Rohingya cannot go anywhere else, as the Bangladesh border has been closed to them,” he said.

At the same time, the MRA launched the Tabung Bantuan Kemanusiaan Rohingya to enable caring individuals and organisations to contribute and help ease the plight of the people caught in the conflict in Rakhine state.

Abdul Razak added that the MRA aims to collect another RM500,000 through its fund, which will be sent in stages.

Contributions can be made via cheque, payable to “Malaysian Relief Agency”, or cash through their Maybank account, 564098206365.-nst