RM2.6m given to natural disaster victims till May

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Fatimah presenting a box of ‘kuih Raya’ to a Bomba personnel. On her left is Nor Hisham. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung

Fatimah presenting a box of ‘kuih Raya’ to a Bomba personnel. On her left is Nor Hisham. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung

KUCHING: The state Welfare Department has given out about RM2.582 million in aid to help nearly 17,000 families affected by natural disasters and fire as of May this year.

Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said RM1.897 million was used to help 13,510 households of flood victims, while RM290,698 worth of aid had been distributed to 3,229 families affected by drought.

The department spent RM119,000 to help 66 families affected by landslide and RM13,500 on 34 families hit by wind disaster. It also gave out RM261,500 in aid to 114 families affected by 41 cases of fire during the first five months of this year, she added.

“The Fire and Rescue Department’s strategic partnership with our ministry through the Info Blast system has enabled the state Welfare to channel immediate assistance to victims of natural disasters such as flood, landslide, fire and others.

“When a natural disaster occurs, including fire, Bomba would immediately inform the Welfare Department using the Info Blast. Information given are very detailed, including number of victims, place, time and even distance of the incident,” Fatimah said when officiating at the presentation of ‘kuih Raya’ to the state Fire and Rescue Department at its Tabuan Jaya station here yesterday.

State Bomba director Nor Hisham Mohammad was present. About 500 boxes of ‘kuih Raya’ were presented to the department and its volunteer unit personnel.

Fatimah added that when disaster strikes, including attacks by wild animals such as crocodiles, Welfare officers would go to the ground to investigate and find out who the victims are besides providing immediate aid.

Last year, she said, the state Welfare Department gave out about RM4.258 million worth of aid to 36,300 families affected by various natural disasters like drought, flood, landslide and wind.

In addition, RM1.69 million worth of assistance was given to 654 households affected by 132 fire cases last year, she added.

Touching on the event, Fatimah said it was to recognise those who had to be away from their families and loved ones in the name of duty.

Fatimah’s ministry had prepared about 6,000 boxes of ‘kuih Raya’ which will be distributed to seven agencies including the Armed Forces, Police, Prisons Department, Immigration Department, Customs Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

“Upholding the peace and sovereignty of the nation is a big task. Presenting Raya goodies to those who would be on duty and away from their families is the least we can do to cheer and enhance their Raya mood,” she further
said, adding that numerous women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were involved in the preparation of the ‘kuih Raya’.