Displaced villagers grateful for aid

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LAHAD DATU: Silam Umno welfare and community development bureau head Datin Maizatul Akmam Datuk Alawi on Saturday presented basic necessities and medication to families of 45 houses who have temporarily relocated to Kampung Tanjung Labian.

“The aid means a lot to us,” said one of the villagers, Shahirah Abu Samman, 34, who received the aid from Datin Maizatul.

Shahirah said since her family and 50 others left their houses in Kampung Tanduo, they had problems getting food and medication.

“Our livestock and plants were left unattended in the village and we were not able to go to the sea to fish. This situation has been a burden to all of us.

“I am therefore thankful for the aid given as it could help reduce our burden and feed the children as they do not understand the situation like us,” she added.

Maizatul, after presenting the aid, said she was informed about the difficulties faced by the villagers two days ago.

“I was informed that the villagers had moved out from their houses for their own safety after the armed group entered their village on February 12. The villagers then moved to Kampung Tanjung Labian.

“With the help from Kampung Tanjung Labian and Kampung Sinakut village chiefs, we managed to locate and gathered some of the villagers,” said Maizatul.

Maizatul said some 50 families that occupied 45 houses received aid in the form of basic necessities and medication, and added that she would inform the relevant authorities such as the Welfare and Health Departments on the plight of the villagers so that they could receive proper aid and assistance.

“I hope this small aid will help to ease their burden and for the situation to be resolved soon so that the villagers could return to their homes,” she added.