MARUDI: Eleven families affected by the fire incident at Rumah Ridab, Sungai Pasir in March received a total of RM164,300 in disaster relief aid from the Sarawak government.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, who is also Mulu assemblyman, presented the cheques to the families at a handing-over ceremony here yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Gerawat said the financial assistance was allocated based on criteria and guidelines set by the Social Welfare Department (JKM), with the amount received by each family determined by the extent of damage reported by the Fire and Rescue Department.
He stressed that although the aid cannot fully compensate for the losses suffered, it serves as an initial contribution to ease the burden on victims as they begin to rebuild their lives.
“The Sarawak government is committed to supporting those affected by disasters,” he added.
Gerawat also said that he will raise the matter of rebuilding the longhouse at the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) level to seek further assistance.
“It is my hope that this aid can be put to good use, at the very least to build a temporary shelter, while waiting for the construction of a new longhouse,” he said.
Meanwhile, it was previously reported that 78 residents from 10 units of Rumah Ridab were left homeless after a fire destroyed the 23-door concrete longhouse on Mar 10.
No injuries were reported in the incident, but losses were estimated at RM1.7 million.
According to investigation findings, the fire started at Unit No. 1 and spread up to Unit No. 10. Units 1 to 6 were completely destroyed, Unit 7 was 60 per cent damaged and units 8 to 10 were 50 per cent razed.
