SHAH ALAM, May 20 — The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) and World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) have entered a strategic partnership that aims to boost global awareness and action on climate change. 

This is after the two organisations inked a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) that underscores the shared commitment of both parties to enhance responsiveness towards global awareness and climate change. 

In a statement, MRC said the collaboration will give particular focus to safeguarding and conserving natural resources, biodiversity and environment. 

“By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, MRC and WWF-Malaysia aim to promote humanitarian efforts, health initiatives and disaster risk reduction strategies in Malaysia,” it said. 

According to MRC, the key areas of cooperation include promoting awareness to the public on the importance of protecting and restoring ecosystems as well as harnessing partnerships and resources to develop ecosystem-based adaptation and disaster risk reduction programmes. 

“Additionally, the MOU seeks to develop training programmes for volunteers to enhance their effectiveness in disaster response and engage with ministries and agencies to advocate for climate action and environmental sustainability.”  

The MOU signing ceremony was held on May 8, 2024 at the HGH Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. 

It was witnessed by MRC national chairperson, Tunku Temenggong of Kedah Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah. 

MRC was represented by its secretary-general Hakim Hamzah while WWF-Malaysia was represented by chief executive officer Sophia Lim. 

The initiative is supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), MRC added.