KUCHING: A total of 380,568 heads of households in the state has received food aid under Sarawakku Sayang programme, said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said the food aid had benefitted the B40 (low-income group) and other needy individuals.
“This is to ensure that the people who are struggling have food on the table.
“If there are families or individuals who are in need, they can contact the Disaster Management Committee or the Social Welfare Department (JKM) at the divisional level,” she added.
She added that the Social Development Council (MPS) under her ministry had conducted a survey from April 20 to 28 to evaluate the impact of the food aid on recipients.
“One of the survey findings was that 83 percent of recipients felt relieved and that their food essentials/financial burdens were eased during the interim period before receiving other assistances.
“Secondly, 84.6 percent of recipients felt that the timing of the food aid was precisely at a time when the family really needed it,” said Fatimah.
She noted that 81 percent of recipients opined that the food distribution had been done fairly, while 80 percent were of the opinion that the distribution had been done in an organised manner.
“Also, 75.8 percent of recipients said that the supplies received fulfilled the family’s essential food requirements,” she said.
She added that 93 percent of recipients appreciated the food aid received during the MCO.
A total of 11,658 food aid recipients from 12 divisions and 31 districts participated in the survey.
Fatimah, who is also Food Supply Chain Sub-Committee deputy chairperson, said the food essentials which had been distributed included rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil, coffee, tea, and biscuits.
According to her, food aid was also received from elected representatives, Village Development and Security Committees (JKKKs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate bodies, and individuals.
She said that assistance from the federal government was channelled via JKM Sarawak and coordinated by the Division Disaster Management Committees.
