Mercy Relief (MR) has set up an in-house innovation unit to initiate and coordinate researches, designs and development of appropriate technologies for humanitarian deployment focusing on shelter, food, water and sanitation. It will partner local tertiary technical institutions and relevant corporations as part of the latter’s CSR.
Theme: Common Sense is Not always Common
FOOD
Mercy Ready Meals (MRMs)
Mercy Ready Meals (MRMs) was thought out in the aftermath of the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Working together with MRs corporate partner, Golden Season, the first MRM developed was rice porridge with sweet potatoes. The high fluid content of the porridge serves to rehydrate the victims, with the starch meant to fill the hunger and provide energy. Sweet potato was included for its high nutrition - the number one nutrition of all vegetables with rich content of dietary fibre and naturally occurring sugar, complex carbohydrates and protein. Subsequently, red and green bean soups were included in the range of MRMs as they contain high protein and fibre. Each MRM pack weighs 250gm and is easily consumed and digestible, which make them suitable for infants, the elderly and injured, without any re-heating requirement. The MRMs have a shelf life of three years. More than 800,000 packs of MRMs have been dispatched and distributed to disaster-affected locations in China, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines.
WATER
PedalPureTM - Portable & Robust Ultra-Filtration Treatment System
In many disasters, contaminated water remains a critical issue. The portable ultra-filtration PedalPure system would allow more victims access to clean and safe water for consumption and survival. Mercy Relief Chief Executive, Hassan Ahmad, said, “The pedal-powered filters do not require electricity to pump, and as such are very appropriate for use in disaster-stricken and remote areas where power supply is affected or scarce. The 700-litre-per-hour system was designed by Mercy Relief (MR), in partnership with the Singapore Polytechnic (SP). Each unit is able to fill 466 bottles (1.5litre capacity) with water per hour. Equipped with wheels and brakes, the system is easily transportable across challenging terrains. Pedaling activates the piston pump, which begins passing ater through a dual-flow fibre membrane system. This process is known as ultra filtration which removes particles larger than 0.01 microns including most bacteria. When the membranes are dirty, a pressure gauge will show an increase in pressure, indicating that the system requires cleaning. The membranes can be easily cleaned through a backwash. During backwashing clean water flows in a reverse direction through the membranes to remove the sediments and micro-organisms stuck on the membrane surface. Thereafter, the membranes will be ready to produce more water.
Household Rain Harvester (HRH)
The Household Rain Harvester (HRH) is a joint design between MR and SP. The HRH is a simple device comprising a collapsible plastic container (akin to an inverted umbrella) to collect rainwater. It is joined at the base by a valve with an attached ceramic filter to separate sediments and bacteria from the water. Its simplicity and affordability makes it suitable for rural application and emergency response. As a tropical region, Southeast Asian countries are blessed with abundant rain. While excessive rain causes floods, destruction to properties and contaminates clean sources of water, the HFH seeks to convert that burden to blessings by allowing affected households to collect and filter rainwater for safe consumption and ensure their survival.
SHELTER
Rapid Deployment Shelter (RDS)
The Rapid Deployment Shelter (RDS) was jointly designed and developed by MR, SP and Golden Season. The RDS can be erected quickly in less than two hours by 3 men and can function as a medical clinic, storage facility, administrative area or living accommodation. Heat-treated aluminum is used for the structure to minimize weight for easier and more affordable transporting. Its adjustable legs can adapt to uneven terrains while the raised floor reduces the risk of flooding. Louvers and composite wall panels are used to ventilate and insulate the structure.