KUCHING: The International Disaster Response Network (IDRN) is looking to set up a Sarawak-based chapter by the end of this year.
IDRN leader Campbell Apau said the chapter would have its own local office, storage area and rescue team.
“It will be a private sector driven body to complement other rescue teams like the Civil Defence Department. So, we really need support from private organisations,” he said.
Campbell pointed out that the two main disasters likely to be faced in Sarawak are floods and landslides.
He said IDRN hoped to build an urban search and rescue disaster response team as well as get volunteers to provide logistical support such as food, clothing and medicine.
Foreign instructors, he said, had been invited to conduct training in the state in the last two years.
The training aimed to raise public awareness about disaster response, prepare individuals and families to survive disasters, become IDRN partners and understand IDRN operations.
This year, IDRN training will be held in Surabaya, Indonesia from April 1-4.
Currently, the IDRN office in Singapore oversees the Asia Pacific region.
Meanwhile, IDRN member Pat Peh said global warming and climate change meant weather patterns were no longer predictable.
“People here are so secure and do not prepare ourselves. However, there is a saying in Malay ‘Sediakan payung sebelum hujan’ (Prepare an umbrella before it rains),” she said.
“Whoever would have thought a tsunami would hit Penang? The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake of December 2004 generated a tsunami that affected all coasts of the Indian Ocean, killed over 300,000 people and caused loss of property and livelihoods. In Malaysia, 68 people died
and property losses amounted to about US$25 million (RM76 million).”
According to Peh, earlier preparation could have reduced property loss and saved lives.
Quoting research, she said when disaster strikes only 10 per cent of those affected have clear heads and take necessarily action, another 10 per cent are in a blur and panic, while another 10 per cent become chaotic and dangerous.
“Many people know about it but are not doing anything to prepare. No one should be ignorant about disaster response,” said Peh.
Fellow IDRN member Edward Tan said everyone should prepare a go bag, which contains basic necessities such as canned food, biscuits and chocolate bars, which do not require cooking, and contain carbohydrates as well as protein for energy.
“One important thing we need to survive, water, should be brought along. Because we can only bring a limited amount of water, it’s necessary to bring a portable water purifier or filter to clean other water sources for drinking. Other things are some rope, utility knife, first aid kit, lighter and torch light,” added Tan.
He pointed out that a go bag should also have a mini cooking pot and survival guide book.
Important documents should also be kept in a small bag that can be easily carried.
In times of disaster, he said, people need to keep aware of the surroundings and evacuate to a safe area during the day time when possible.
“During disaster, it is important to stay safe as people are desperate and may even kill others to survive. There is no law and order during that time. The first thing is security, followed by water, shelter, food, power and communication,” said Tan.
For more information on IDRN, call Campbell on 013-8017463 or email [email protected].