KUCHING: A total of RM1.35 million in disaster relief has been channelled to affected families in Kuching, involving 258 disaster cases.
The assistance covered victims of storms, fires, landslides, floods and drought, involving 2,074 heads of households and 7,722 people.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the government remained committed to ensuring assistance reached affected communities promptly and systematically.
“Every disaster not only causes damage to homes and property, but also affects the daily lives and emotions of families involved,” she said in her speech at the distribution of disaster relief held at Wisma Kebajikan today.
She disclosed that 104 storm-related cases were recorded, involving 119 heads of households and 378 victims, with RM205,700 allocated for assistance.
Of the total, RM9,700 was provided through immediate assistance, while RM196,000 was channelled for building materials to help affected families repair their homes.
“For today’s distribution, 75 heads of households in the MBKS area received RM103,000, while 24 households in Kampung Tanjung Bako received RM31,500.
“Another 28 heads of households from Kampung Bintawa Hilir, Kampung Bintawa, Kampung Muhibbah and other areas received assistance totalling RM58,500,”she said.
Fatimah also shared that fire victims received substantial assistance, with 92 cases involving 95 heads of households and 422 victims recorded in Kuching.
A total of RM636,300 was provided for fire victims, comprising RM338,800 in immediate assistance, RM291,500 for building materials and RM6,000 for small businesses.
Meanwhile, 12 landslide cases involving 12 families and 59 victims received RM36,300, including RM5,500 in immediate assistance and RM30,800 for building materials.
“For floods, 14 cases involving 446 families and 1,714 victims were recorded, with total assistance amounting to RM331,710 being channelled to affected communities.
She said drought relief had also been extended to 1,402 heads of households involving 5,149 victims across 36 cases recorded in Kuching.
Additionally, a total of 10,298 boxes of drinking water were distributed, involving RM143,173.40 in expenditure, to ensure affected communities continued receiving essential supplies.
Fatimah stressed that effective disaster management required close cooperation between government agencies, local authorities, community leaders, non-governmental organisations, volunteers and local communities.
“The most important thing is to ensure that action is taken quickly, systematically and reaches those who genuinely need assistance,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to welfare officers, government agencies, local authorities, community leaders and field personnel for their efforts in coordinating and delivering assistance.
Fatimah hoped the aid provided would ease the burden of affected families and give them strength to rebuild their lives after experiencing difficult circumstances.
