KUCHING: Since its inception on July 4 under the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), the Welfare Task Force has received a total of 867 food aid applications.
From July 4 to 14, a total of 1,212 applications were received, with 867 fulfilled so far, comprising 490 applicants from Miri District, five from Bekenu District, and 372 from other districts in Miri.
Meanwhile, the remaining 345 applications received on July 13 are being processed by the various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“Due to the collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, private companies and the public under the ‘Welfare Task Force’, many applicants for food aid, including non-Malaysians, have been helped.
“Almost all white flags found in Miri Division have been handled by the task force, and for repeat white flag situations, the Sarawak Welfare Department (JKMS) will conduct an investigation,” according to a statement.
Some irresponsible parties have been taking advantage of the white flag campaign, and according to JKMS officials, these individuals or groups wanted to try their luck, are influenced by their friends and social media, with some even reselling the food packs to make money.
JKMS and NGOs advised recipients to lower their white flag as soon as assistance is received.
Meanwhile, JKMS, through the task force, has also been able to identify NGOs that can provide aid such as milk, diapers and medical aid.
“Hikmah Miri Branch (milk), Miri Branch Red Crescent Society (milk and diapers), and individuals (medical aid) were among those who contributed a lot to help the needy.”
