PENAMPANG, Sept 16 — Flood victims in Sabah are hoping that cash aid from the state and federal governments will be distributed promptly.
Agnes Kalos, 50, from Kampung Tuawon in Penampang, who was also affected by the disaster, said the government had announced financial assistance to ease the burden of every victim.
“However, we hope this financial aid will also be monitored to ensure fair distribution,” she told Bernama here today.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim approved an immediate allocation of RM10 million through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to assist flood victims in Sabah.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) said the ‘Bantuan Wang Ihsan’ (BWI) aid, ranging from RM1,000 to RM10,000 will be channelled to flood victims in the state to help ease their hardship.
According to JPBN, RM1,000 will be given to each head of household relocated to temporary evacuation centres, while the families of victims who perished in the disaster will receive RM10,000 under BWI.
As of 8 am today, JPBN reported a total of 2,468 flood victims from 656 families housed at 19 relief centres across Sabah.
Another victim from the same village, Majory Yumin, 54, said government assistance has always helped to reduce the burden of those affected.
“Whenever floods occur, we always depend on government assistance and we welcome the aid announced yesterday.
Devie Dore Lawrence, 24, from Kampung Tengah in Kinarut, Papar, urged that aid from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals be better coordinated.
“We know many NGOs and individuals have been generous in stepping forward to provide aid… but it would be better if such assistance is gathered by a designated agency before being distributed, so that the process is more orderly,” he added. — Bernama
