MRA president Abdul Razak Kechik said currently the MRA had only 50 active volunteers referred to as “sahabat”.

“What we want is to have more ‘sahabat’ to join the association.

“We are looking for young doctors, paramedics and nurses to help provide medical care for those in need,” he told FMT.

MRA has visited Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Yemen, Somalia and Myanmar to offer humanitarian aid in the form of funds, food and clothing in the past. They also set up medical camps in areas hit by floods, droughts and earthquakes.

They were also active in helping Kelantan folk during the last big floods at the end of 2014.

Razak said MRA needed more people because the work to help victims doesn’t end.

“It’s not like providing assistance for a day or two and then leaving.

“For instance, if there are floods, the volunteers should help the victims until they can get back on their feet.

“We understand that the volunteers also have their jobs and they can’t get away for weeks at a stretch. That’s why we need more volunteers so that we can take turns helping out.”

Razak also said MRA would be going to universities to recruit more volunteers.

“We want to create awareness among the young students and get them to assist us. We will provide the necessary training and then we will bring them to the field.

“It’s a good experience for the students to get some exposure and learn more about humanitarian work.”

Razak also said the volunteers were active even when there were no incidents overseas or locally.

“Some of them even go to the Orang Asli villages to give tuition to the children and assist in any way they can. They are always ready to help when we call them.”