SIBU: More than 5,000 people were affected by the wave of floods that hit the division earlier this year.
Deputy Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development Datuk Razi Sitam said the floods which occurred from Jan 9 to 12, also saw 251 victims evacuated to three temporary evacuation centres (PPS).
“Altogether, 1,628 heads of households involving 5,031 victims were cut off from access in Selangau District,” he was quoted as saying in an UKAS report when officiating the Central Zone PPS Personnel Appreciation Ceremony held at the Sarawak Islamic Complex here recently.
Meanwhile, he said the use of the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) Info Bencana System and the MyIBJKM application has helped record victims’ information earlier, making it easier to verify identities and speed up the distribution of assistance.
“The system also ensures that aid such as the Compassionate Cash Assistance (BWI) can be channelled more accurately to eligible victims,” he said.
He also urged community leaders and tribal chiefs (KMKK), particularly in flood-prone areas, to encourage villagers to register their information early through the MyIBJKM application.
According to him, community involvement is also important in efforts to enhance disaster preparedness, in addition to helping speed up the collection of complete data during flood incidents.
Meanwhile, Sarawak JKM director Semawi Mohamad said the event was held for the first time and involved 250 participants from various agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers from the Central Zone.
“This appreciation ceremony aims to recognise the contributions and commitment of all agencies that have greatly assisted JKM Sarawak in disaster management, particularly those involving disaster victims at the PPS.
“Through events like this, the department also hopes to strengthen cooperation among agencies at PPS so that JKM’s services can effectively reach the target groups,” he said.
