Fatimah: Hold activities for evacuees to de-stress

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Evacuees and personnel from the Natural Disaster and Relief Committee get their picture taken with Fatimah (seated second row, fifth right holding a child).

Elderly evacuees at Kampung Bidang join Fatimah (left) for a light exercise.

LIMBANG: Lively and meaningful activities need to be organised for evacuees at flood evacuation centres in Sarawak to reduce stress.

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said this was because high blood pressure topped the list of diseases afflicting evacuees in Sarawak.

“We suggest that volunteers and agencies involved in the evacuation organise at evacuation centres, programmes like motivational and health talks, exercise and colouring contest for flood victims.

“This will provide a diversion for those who worry about their properties left behind,” she told reporters at the Kampung Bidang evacuation centre on Friday.

Fatimah and entourage made similar visits to flood victims at SK Menuang evacuation centre, also in Limbang.

On assistance to flood victims, Fatimah said the state government is still waiting for approval from the National Security Council though Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had assured on Friday that flood-hit victims in Sarawak will be getting similar assistance as those in the peninsula.

That includes compassionate fund of RM500 to each household affected by floods while the government will also help build houses completely damaged by flood. Assistance ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000 will be extended to houses with minor damages.

“We hope the council will give consideration to flood victims who incurred losses due to damage to farms and livestock,” she said.

On the nine schools still closed, Fatimah said they will be required to conduct replacement classes for students.