KOTA BHARU, Dec 18 — The government has allocated RM35.8 million to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) to deal with floods during the northeast monsoon in 2023 and 2024.
Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said JKM has also allocated RM3 million to purchase retort packaging technology (in which food can last 24 months without refrigeration) to supply food to flood victims within 24 hours.
“In addition, a total of 5,167 officers and staff are ready to be mobilised at any time with the help of 157 counsellors and 864 psychological support teams (PST).
“To launch operations at PPS, 8,543 JKM volunteers are also ready to be mobilised,” she said after visiting the Community Welfare Department’s (JKM) Storage Depot near Pengkalan Chepa today.
For the evacuation centre operation, 47,635 collapsible tents have been prepared to provide comfort for flood victims, involving 8,481 PPS identified nationwide and capable of accommodating as many as 2.15 million evacuees at any one time.
“Thus far, JKM has eight depots, 137 stores in districts, 60 mini-container depot, and 580 forward bases to accommodate flood victims’ basic needs,” Nancy said.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the alleged fraud of a few flood victims registered at PPS, she said the matter will be handed over to the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) for further action.
“This matter involves several agencies under PKOB and surely they know more about the situation during floods in the areas where it happened.
“Therefore, we hope community leaders also play an important role in helping government and state agencies to submit true and authentic reports about flood victims,” Nancy said.
— Bernama
