By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, July 6 — In just two days over 300 members of the Selangor Volunteers (SERVE) have registered to participate in the post-flood relief mission in Baling, Kedah.
However, state executive councillor for youth and human resource development Mohd Khairuddin Othman said only 20 volunteers were mobilised to the affected location for the first phase of the relief operation that started today until Friday.
He said the other volunteers will be deployed in stages, depending on the current situation and needs.
“It is understood that a total of 1,400 families were affected there, so SERVE members will each have the chance to participate in the relief mission based on their previous experience.
“A total of 12 localities have been affected involving one district, so maybe around 200 to 300 volunteers will be enough to help with the situation there.
“Our goal is to clean the mud, facilitate communication and speed up the return of the flood victims to their homes,” Mohd Khairuddin said.
He was speaking during the flagging-off the ‘Selangor Penyayang Mission: Post-Flood Relief Mission To Baling, Kedah’ at the Selangor State Secretariat Building here that was officiated by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Meanwhile, the councillor invited more youths in the state to join SERVE to gain experience in helping disasters victims.
“However, we do not want volunteers who have no clear sense of direction without a focus on on areas that need attention,” he said.
On August 29 last year, a group of SERVE members were dispatched to Yan, Kedah to help flood victims that were caused by water surges.