Qoo10 partners with Mercy Relief to help Nepal earthquake victims

SINGAPORE - You can now help the Nepal Earthquake victims through e-commerce platform Qoo10's partnership with local charity organisation Mercy Relief.

The fundraising campaign, which started on May 8, will end on June 15. Qoo10 users can make donations via MasterCard and VISA credit cards, PayPal, E-Nets or AXS to the Nepal Earthquake Relief 2015 fund.

Qoo10 also said in a statement today that its users can also donate to the cause by converting their accumulated loyalty points. One Q stamp can be exchanged for $0.10, while one Q point is $0.01.

Since April 28, Mercy Relief's rapid assessment team have conducted 24 relief distribution operations and eight medical missions servicing some of the remotest villages in the Kathmandu, Kavrepalanchok and Sindhupalchok districts - the country's hardest hit areas

In total, Mercy Relief have reached out to nearly 20,000 beneficiaries and treated some 700 patients. Mercy Relief's relief distribution operation on May 12 was close to the epicenter of the second round of 7.3 magnitude earthquakes.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed on Thursday that all Singaporeans in Nepal who registered with the MFA are safe.

"As of May 13, 2015, Singaporeans in Nepal registered with the Ministry have been accounted for and are safe," MFA said.

The Mercy Relief team have completed their initial response for the acute relief phase and will be re-grouping back in Singapore to explore options for its post relief response.

Welcoming Qoo10 to the Singaporean NGO's ranks of supporters, Mercy Relief's Chairman, Mr Michael Tay said: "Since Mercy Relief's Nepal Earthquake Relief fundraising campaign was launched, we have received immense support from both members of the public and corporate donors.

"Qoo10's contribution towards our fundraising effort is significant. The online community has become a necessary avenue for donor outreach activities and assistance for Nepal's earthquake-stricken communities," he added.

Qoo10's fundraiser has received over $15,700 in donations so far, with over 3,400 people supporting the campaign.

The latest earthquakes in Nepal are its deadliest in over 80 years. More than 8,200 people have died so far.

grongloh@sph.com.sg