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RM6.52 mln allocated for food aid in MCO areas

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File photo: Authorities handing out assistance to the affected residents in Pasai Siong.

KUCHING: The state government will provide food aid to households affected by the movement control order (MCO) in Sibu and Kapit divisions.

Food Supply Chain Sub-Committee chairman Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the food aid in Sibu Division would cover Sibu, Selangau and Kanowit, while in Kapit Division, it would cover Kapit and Song districts.

“In both divisions, 88,857 households are affected, of which 72,857 households are in Sibu and 16,000 households are in Kapit and Song districts,” he told the press.

The state government had allocated RM6.52mil for the purpose, he added.

“The Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee has reported that 48,764 (67 per cent) households out of 72,857 households have been distributed with food assistance.

“All 1,270 affected longhouses (22,612 households) have also been given food assistance.

“The committee has been instructed to expedite the distribution to the remaining 24,047 out of the total 50,245 affected households in the urban areas of Sibu by this week.”

Meanwhile, in Kapit, the Divisional Disaster Management Committee managed to deliver food assistance to 6,681 from the total 16,000 affected households.

“The committee has also been instructed to include those households not in the earlier list of recipients.”

Awang Tengah also expressed his gratitude to the disaster committees, local councils, community leaders, JKKKs, NGOs and the relevant government agencies for their cooperation.

He said the distribution of the food was quite challenging, especially in the rural areas, and at the same time, complying with the SOPs.

“They are doing their best to ensure the food distribution is done strictly in compliance with the SOPs.”

When asked about the movement of supplies in the affected areas, the committee requested the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to make sure supplies are enough in the area.

“There are a few points of sale operating in the affected area to ensure that the supplies are enough for everyone.

“Overall, food supplies are not a problem at all and enough.”

When asked whether residents could go out, Awang Tengah said only two people were allowed to go out if there are important matters to attend to.

“We advised them to adhere to the strict SOPs if they want to go out.”

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