KAPIT: As one of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, SUPP Kapit Branch chipped in cash assistance to the fire victims of Taman Melatai 1, km-4 JalanSelirik here on Thursday afternoon.
Leading the members to hand over the cash assistance to the household heads of the fire victims at the site were chairman James Ling Thian Ing and deputy chairman Datuk Yong Hua Sying. Also present were the Women chief Councillor Jenny Yii as well as members Wong Mee Ing and Wong SiauKiew.
Each family received a cash donation of RM250 for them to buy the immediate necessities while waiting for government assistance.
James Ling was seen interacting with the fire victims to show his sympathy and moral support to them. He hoped they would be strong to face the challenging times ahead while waiting for their new homes to be built.
SUPP Kapit is very much active on the ground to lend a helping hand to the needy, including victims of natural calamity or fire. Last year in 2018, the branch assisted the fire victims of Rumah Nyawaiat km-3 Jalan Bukit Goram, Kapit and also Rumah Lorrie, Nanga Ibau, Batang Rajang here.
Following the fire mishap, the first in Kapit District, several non-governmental organisations here including the Malaysian Red Crescent Kapit Society and Lions Club Kapit sprung into action to donate food items and relief to the fire victims.
Immediately after the fire, the Welfare Department in Kapit led by its officer Jemat Kanchin reached out to them to provide immediate food assistance.
In the late midnight fire on Jan 3, four families comprising 28 people were made homeless as their double-storey terrace houses, (built four units in a row) at a residential area at Taman Melatai 1 row were reduced to ashes by the fire.
The occupants were fast asleep when the fire broke out; they could only save themselves as all properties and belongings perished in the fire.
The cause of the fire was believed to have started due to a short circuit and the amount of damage was yet to be ascertained. Nevertheless, the occupants suffered heavy losses as all their belongings were destroyed.
