How you can help Malaysians affected by Covid-19 from home

Help our frontliners 

Doctors and nurses are risking their health to keep us safe everyday and they need our help to stay protected as well. One way to do this is by making a donation to supply them with personal protective equipment.

Many local businesses and volunteer groups, like the Biji-biji Initiative, are also helping out by making face shields. You can help them by volunteering, donating or sponsoring the materials they need.

Don’t forget our other frontliners — the delivery persons, supermarket workers, cleaners and security guards — who make it possible for us to shelter at home. If you can afford it, why not provide our unsung heroes with tips, food and groceries? 

Help small businesses

Now is a tough time for many small businesses. When you go out for groceries, try to buy from your local kedai runcit – they’re also usually less crowded than larger stores and would save you time. You can also order takeaway or delivery. Grab will waive their own commission if you order from selected local hawkers and small restaurants and pay via WhatsApp and Facebook.

If you’re worried about hygiene, try to make cashless payments with credit cards and e-wallets. 

Other local SMEs – like craft stores, escape rooms and more – need our help, too. Buy a gift card to use after the MCO to help them stay afloat. You can also support the arts by spreading the word about KLPAC’s SaveYourSeat campaign and even adopting a seat if you can.

Help your community

Aside from volunteering at and donating to local NGOs, it’s important to reach out to people who you know. Check in with your loved ones to make sure they’re coping well. Something as simple as a phone call can really cheer up someone’s day. If you have elderly neighbours, help buy groceries for them, and enjoy our PayDay Deals if you shop for them online.

You can also use your CIMB credit card points to donate to deserving organisations such as the Lost Food Project, Al-Ikhlas Hope Society, Kita Bantu Kita, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sedulur, Projek Wawasan Rakyat and Persatuan Care Selangor. 

Help how you can 

Donations are not the only way to help. If you can sew, you can make face masks for your family. If you know yoga, you can host an online video class to help keep your friends active. If you like singing or playing music, you can cheer up your neighbours or other people online. Everyone has their own unique set of skills to make this difficult time better for someone.

Help Malaysia

Many Malaysians will struggle to recover their businesses and livelihood. Let's do our best to help. Once it’s safe to go outside, buy from local businesses – whether they’re grocers or tailors – and continue supporting NGOs.

If you decide to go on holiday, consider visiting Malaysian attractions and stay in local hotels to support Malaysia’s tourism industry.

COVID-19 has affected us all, and it may seem impossible to provide enough help to whoever needs it. Just do what you can, and make sure to take care of yourself as well.

This article is brought to you by CIMB as part of our ongoing efforts to raise the level of financial literacy among Malaysians. Financial knowledge and understanding are key to making well-informed and meaningful financial decisions that will improve all our well-being. This, in turn, achieves CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society.