LABUAN, Sept 2 (Bernama) — Labuan families affected by last Friday’s (Aug 29) storm are receiving emergency aid as repairs begin on homes damaged by strong winds and heavy rain.
For low-income households, the devastation was overwhelming, and the thought of rebuilding seemed impossible.
“We thought we had to patch it ourselves little by little. We didn’t expect help to come so fast,” said 61-year-old father of five, Ismail Khamis from Kampung Durian Tunjung, staring at what remained of his roof.
Assistance arrived when RM250,000 was swiftly channelled to support victims, with the allocation set aside to replace roofs of six of the most severely damaged homes.
Repairs begin today (Sept 2) as hardware shops reopen and must be completed within 14 days, giving residents hope of stability.
Until permanent repairs are completed, affected families will receive between RM1,500 and RM3,000 each to stay temporarily in homestays, a gesture many described as a blessing in their time of need.
“It means our children can sleep safely tonight,” said 45-year-old Sufiyana Arbie from Kampung Lubok Temiang.
The initiative, approved immediately by Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, has been hailed as a lifeline by the families.
His assurance that no household would be left behind has been met with deep gratitude.
Dr Suhaili also expressed his highest appreciation to the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and field officers, praising their efficiency and commitment in handling the emergency on the ground.
For many victims, the swift repairs and temporary shelter are more than material aid; they serve as a reassurance that their struggles have not been forgotten, even in the face of disaster.
Several houses were badly damaged in the incident, with roofs blown away, while fallen trees obstructed traffic across major parts of Labuan.
The heavy downpour, which lasted several hours, also caused flash flooding in some low-lying areas.
–BERNAMA
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