RM500,000 emergency funds for flood victims approved

KUALA LUMPUR - The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has approved Emergency Procurement of RM500,000 to fund immediate needs and aid to flood victims in Terengganu and Kelantan.

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the allocation was to ensure that additional essential goods are stocked at stores, mini-depots and forward bases in the affected districts.

"JKM (Social Welfare Department) staff will continue to monitor and be prepared at all times in the affected areas," she said in a statement tonight.

Regarding the issue of road access being cut off in Hulu Besut, Terengganu, Nancy said a meeting with the state police chief and state department heads this afternoon decided that the Fire and Rescue Department's helicopter would be deployed for JKM to send aid.

"Agencies such as the Public Works Department, the Department of Agriculture and the Kuala Terengganu District Council that have heavy vehicles or large trucks will gather at the Marang JKM Disaster Depot to distribute food and goods.

"Victims who are unable to move to PPS (evacuation centres) can gather at other public venues such as community rehabilitation centres and then JKM together with the Disaster Operations Control Centre will register them with PPS on an ad hoc basis to get food and basic needs," she said.

Based on the Malaysian Meteorological (MetMalaysia) Department's report, strong winds and heavy rain will continue to lash the East Coast until Dec 21 and this is expected to lead to more areas being flooded.

As of tonight, several districts in Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak and Johor have been hit by floods.- BERNAMA