Harden, representing Yayasan Sarawak, (third left) hands over cheques to Omar Mahli a representative of state Education Department.
KUCHING: The State Disaster Management Committee says Sarawak needs RM266,924.306.50 to remedy low-lying areas affected by the recent flood and land slides.
This money will also be used to cover for damaged crops and special donations, said a press statement delivered by Assistant Minister of Community Well Being Datuk Francis Harden Hollis representing the committee’s chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah at a press conference in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
From the amount, RM251 million will be used to address damaged roads and hill slopes affected by soil erosion and/or land slide, RM12.5 million for compensation of damaged crops, and RM3.39 million as special donations for flood victims.
The state declared Nov 16, 2017 to March 20, 2018 flood disaster period.
The government has spent RM34,527,962.40 to manage disaster relief matters during the last monsoon that brought rain and floods to low-lying and flood-prone areas in Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Miri, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Kapit, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions, the statement said.
From the figure, RM26.5 million was spent to repair schools, RM4.72 million for welfare, RM1.79 million (repairs of damaged roads due to flood and land slides), RM1.26 million (special donations for evacuees) and RM250,000 (repairs of health clinics).
Yayasan Sarawak will also contribute RM230,000 or RM10,000 each to 23 schools affected physically by the recent major flood, the statement added.
The schools are SK Kuala Bok, SK Long Sobeng, SK Benawa and SK Pengarah Enteri in Baram, SK Uma Sambop in Belaga, SK Nanga Serau, SK Ulu Pedanum and SK Nanga Pedanum in Julau, SK Ulu Bawan, SK Nanga Balingiau and SK Ulu Poi in Kanowit, SK Lepong Menuan, SK Nanaga Sempili, SK Nanga Kain, SK Sungai Kapit and SK Lepong Balleh in Kapit, SK Long Tukan in Lawas, and SK Ulu Lubai, SK Nanaga Merit, SK R.C Kubong, SK Kuala Penganan, SK Gadong and SK Kubong in Limbang.
For the forthcoming dry season, Uggah said water tanks would be sent to areas experiencing water shortage at least six hours after the complaint is received.
“I assure that the relevant departments and agencies will be providing good service to the people of Sarawak at large,” he said in the statement.
The press conference was held after the committee held its post mortem meeting.