Civil Defence Department personnel checking on the goods stockpiled at their hall at Desa Kencana.
LAHAD DATU: Entrusted to ensure evacuees at the four evacuation centres in Felda Sahabat get their breakfast, lunch and dinner is indeed a heavy task for Colonel Abdul Wahab Rahim to shoulder .
Colonel Abdul Wahab Rahim.
And although donations and contributions are pouring in quite regularly, the Civil Defence Department’s Operations Centre commander has his worrying concerns.
“I just hoped that we will not run out of supplies as we have some 1,500 people to feed,” said Wahab, optimistically keeping his fingers crossed, when met at the department’s store at Desa Kencana, some 100 kilometres from here.
Walking into the store, one would be greeted by boxes and boxes of goods, which he explained, came from government agencies, non-governmental organisations, political parties and also concerned citizens.
Pointing to the stockpiled goods, comprising water, canned food, biscuits, mattresses and used clothings, among others, Wahab said it would only last for about a week.
“We do get donations regularly, but it is never enough. In situations such as this, I have to anticipate the worst. We cannot tell the future, and we do not know how long this conflict will last.
“Our hope is that people will not stop giving. We will accept donations from anyone, regardless of your political ideology.
“Let’s put the political differences aside, for humanitarian sake, we appreciate any kind of assistance,” said Wahab, who added that he had also logged in contributions received from an opposition party.
Four evacuation centres – Sahabat 7 Cenderawasih, Embara Budi, Fajar Harapan and Gemala Pura – were set up after villagers from Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Labian and Kampung Tanjung Batu, as well as those in nearby areas, fled their houses after armed Filipino intruders were spotted in their villages.
“Since then, we have been deployed to handle the distribution of food and other essential goods, as well as conduct health check-ups for the evacuees.
“Our worst experience was on March 5 (when the Malaysian security forces launched an offensive attack on the intruders). We had a shortage of food supplies, where the stocks we had could only last for a day.
“I had to call all my contacts to send out the red alert. We needed supplies to feed the swelling number of evacuees at the evacuation centres. At that time, the number rose to over 2,000 people.
“But I truly believe God answered my prayers, as a day after, help started pouring in, and people were able to get their daily three meals again,” he said.
Today, many evacuees have turned to their relatives for shelter, waiting for the day they get the green light from the security forces to return to the comfort of their homes.
“We realise that the evacuation centres are getting cramped. We have actually identified several other halls to provide temporary shelter for them but many decided to stay with relatives.
“Actually, we would prefer for them to stay at the evacuation centres so food can be delivered to them,” said Wahab.
He also brushed aside criticism by the foreign media that the department was practising double standards in food distribution.
“Officials from the Philippines Embassy and government had come here (at the centre) recently to check on our operations. I briefed them on our daily routine and explained that we are not biased.
“We have turned our humanitarian mode on, so when it comes to food distribution, everyone deserves three meals daily. No one is excluded,” he said.
Satisfied with the explanation, Wahab said the Philippines government had donated RM12,000 worth of supplies to the department.
Touching on health, he said two ambulances from the department and one from the Malaysian Red Crescent Society have been put on standby for any eventualities.
“We have stationed two medical officers each at the four evacuation centres and offer round the clock health services,” he said.
Wahab, meanwhile, hoped for more Good Samaritans to come forward.
“Donations may be in whatever form, but preferably food. It can be dropped at the department’s offices located at every district in the state. We appreciate your concern,” he said.
For more details, Wahab can be contacted at 019-6995143 or 089-881021.
A total of 179 personnel plus 20 officers from all over Malaysia are currently stationed at Felda Sahabat. They are assisted by some 100 volunteers.