Several states in Malaysia have been hit with floods, one of the country’s worst incidents in history. So much so that the term “Malaysian Katrina” has been coined to describe the devastation that has followed. Kelantan, particularly, saw floods that are the worst in 30 years, with a recorded number of over 45,000 victims seeking shelter at evacuation centres.
According to The Star, other affected states were Terengganu with 34,884 evacuees, Pahang (32,380), Perak (6,119), Johor (537), Perlis (209), and Kedah (28). And the numbers continue to rise. As at 9pm on 26th Dec, a total of 120,368 floods victims had been evacuated.
To make matters worse, the worsening floods showed no signs of abating with heavy rain in several places and rescue efforts were hampered in some cases due to fast-rising waters, strong currents, and roads to affected locations that continued to be cut off. Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Berhad said a total of 300 bridge tracks, 10 train stations, and 19 coaches were submerged in flood waters of up to 10 feet high.
See the pictures below for a better idea of just how bad it is:
* Pictures from The Star.
And Malaysians aren’t the only ones affected by the floods. According to The Malaysian Insider, around 100 tourists who were stranded in a remote resort in central Malaysia’s Mutiara Taman Negara Resort were rescued and sent to a relief centre. As such, Malaysians from all over the country have been trying to rally together for a heroic rescue and relief effort to help flood victims. Prayers aside, we plead with you too to help your countrymen if you can!
The flood victims will be needing the most basic of daily supplies such as:
- Clean/fresh water
- Food
- Toilet paper
- Gas cookers
- Milk formula
- Mats/Blankets
- Sanitary pads
- Blankets
- Diapers
- Clothes
Let’s not forget that the primary effects of flooding (other than deaths and damage to homes) includes damage to sewerage systems, loss of power (electricity), obstruction to roads and transport infrastructure, water contamination, and risk of waterborne diseases (typhoid, cholera, etc.).
So, here’s how you can help:
1. Our Malaysian Armed Forces have set up a 24-hour flood aid collection centre at the Subang Air Force base. Contact the Defence Operations Centre at 03-26985414 or 03-26945434 for more information or call Army Chief of Staff Major General Datuk Mazelan Kasap at 019-2360513 or Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations and Defence Training) Rear Admiral Datuk Anuwi Hassan at 019-6648981
2. Tesco Malaysia have also set up a Tesco Cares Flood Relief Fund at any Tesco store entrance and cashier counter. As of 25th Dec, they’ve flown 620kg worth of food (canned food, cereal grains, rice, mineral water, and so forth) to Kota Baru flood relief centres. Visit their Facebook page for more information.
3. The “Save East Coast” group which was set up during last year’s flood has also been revived. Its coordinator Tengku Nor Azah Tengku Mahmood and her team are continuously sending boxes filled with supplies and basic necessities to the flood victims. Visit their Facebook page or call Tengku Nor Azah at 014-2646004.
4. DAP has launched a flood donation drive to collect funds to help flood victims in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Perak. Those wishing to contribute to the disaster fund may bank money into special disaster account “Tabung Dana Kecemasan” (Ambank 8881002244649).
5. The Star has also joined hands with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and Firefly aka The Star-MRCS-Firefly Relief Fund to collect donations for victims and to fly the supplies to relief centres in the affected states. A collection centre has been opened at Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya from 9:30am to 5:30pm daily.
6. Non-profit organisation Mercy Malaysia has called for donations via its website and also welcomes volunteers to join its teams in Kelantan and Terengganu.
7. CIMB Foundation have set up collection centres for Malaysians to drop off essential and useful items to be donated to the victims in the east coast. The collection centres are located at Bangsar Village 1, Jaya Shopping Centre, Menara CIMB in KL Sentral, and Menara Bumiputera Commerce in Jalan Raja Laut.
8. The Malaysian Red Crescent is calling on Malaysians to come forward and lend a helping hand by sending in contributions to help alleviate the suffering of flood victims. Visit their website to find out how you can donate.
9. Groupon Malaysia has also set up a fund to assist the Malaysian Red Crescent in helping the victims displaced by the surge of flash floods. Malaysians can choose to donate either RM10, RM25, RM50, or RM100, with just a click of the mouse. Go here to donate.
10. The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department has opened its headquarters in Putrajaya for donors to drop off food and clothes. Their HQ is located at Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, Lebuh Wawasan, Presint 7, 62250 Putrajaya. Google Maps here.
UPDATE:
11. The National Council of Women’s Organisations is organising a flood relief effort by sending essentials to the floor relief centres. This effort is coordinated with government agencies to ensure all donations reach those in need. Drop off donations at the NCWO office located at 46 jalan 14/29 Petaling Jaya on 26th (before 4:30pm) and on 29th Dec (Monday) by 10:30am.
As we speak, Malaysians from all walks of life are coming forward to help with cash and donations of supplies, supplementing efforts by various non-governmental organisations and corporate bodies, as listed above. It’s time we all really came together to help our fellow countrymen in need.
For more timely updates on the flood crisis, visit this website.
