The Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) has launched a mobile app to provide grocery and food to the poor and underprivileged, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The app called "Utavi" (help in Tamil) was launched yesterday to assist some of the most financially vulnerable groups in the country.

"Registrations for asistance begins today (yesterday). MIC will coordinate with sponsors and partners for the delivery of relief packs to the qualified beneficiaries who registered with Utavi.

"MIC is also looking for more organisations and individuals who wish to contribute as partners to this cause, either by donating food or essential supplies, or by becoming a delivery partner," read a statement posted on the party's official website.

Commenting on the matter, MIC president S Vigneswaran, said the party was aware of the vulnerable communities affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"We hope that through this initiative, we would be able to generate food and grocery, which will provide some much-needed relief to the affected families," he said.

The personal information of users collected via the app will only be used for the purpose of facilitation and will not be shared with other parties, as stipulated under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012, MIC has assured.

Parties interested to contribute to the cause can do so by registering at https://utavi.com.my.