KUCHING: Flood victims registered at evacuation centres who wish to return to their respective homes must have their head of household inform the state Social Welfare Department (JKM) first.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said at any evacuation centre, there are JKM officers on duty who will keep track of the number of evacuees.
“Therefore, if they want to return home, they must inform these officers,” she said during her visit to the evacuation cetre at SJK (C) Chung Hua Sungai Tengah at Jalan Sejijak here on Friday (Jan 15).
As of today (Jan 15), the evacuation centre recorded a total of 44 families involving 122 flood victims from Taman Malihah, Kpg Paroh and Taman Alamanda Indah.
Fatimah pointed out that the evacuation procedure of flood victims was in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) whereby they must register at the evacuation centre and have their temperatures taken.
“If their temperature record is in the normal range — not more than 37.5 degrees Celsius, then they will be allowed to be placed in cubicles provided by National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
“Apart from that, the number of evacuees at any evacuation centre must not be more than 50 percent of its capacity,” she added.
She also mentioned that at the evacuation centre, the evacuees will be provided with necessities such as toiletries, bedding and packed food thrice a day.
On a separate note, Fatimah reiterated that the Desa Wira Lorong 5i multipurpose hall used as an evacuation centre by the flood victims was not a registered evacuation centre, but was opened voluntarily by the Neighbourhood Watch (KRT).
Whilst she commended the kind effort, she explained that the registered and approved evacuation centres would have better facilities and food assistance for the flood victims.
She was responding to Desa Wira Lorong 5i KRT chairman Jugah Jantum’s statement reported on a local daily newspaper recently who urged the authorities to provide the evacuees with ample food supply.
“I have checked the temporary centre this morning and found out that it wasn’t listed as an evacuation centre. However, if they want to use the centre for shelter, they should inform the authorities so that it can be listed and subsequently, we can provide better facilities and assistance,” she said.
She also noted that the said centre was flooded for the last two nights and therefore, the evacuees were moved to a proper evacuation centre at SMK Batu Kawah.
As of today’s afternoon, there are 39 evacuation centres in Kuching division with 747 families involving 2,878 victims.
