By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 7: A total of 485 staff and 42 vehicles of Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) are ready to be mobilised for flood operations in the State.
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said a total of 23 forward bases have also been set up to assist during the flood operations.
“A forward base is a building or a premises to store all the necessary assistance during flood disasters located near to flood-prone areas.
“This assistance will be supplied before the monsoon season which is during October every year and the stock will be kept in forward bases for six months,” she said in a video statement today.
The forward bases in Kuching division are located in Kampung Semilang, Kampung Beradek, Kampung Jugan (Bau), Kampung Melayu Seberang Buso (Bau), Kampung Bogag (Bau), Kampung Suba Buan (Bau).
Sri Aman has one forward base in Banting Lingga, while others are Beting Maro, Kabong in Betong; SK Nanga Dayu, Pakan in Sarikei; Nanga Baoh in Mukah; Rh Ado Kakus, Tan Timber Clinic and Rh Dilang, Ulu Anap in Bintulu; as well as Kampung Long Busan in Kapit; Long Teran Kiri, Long Teran Kanan, Long Bemang, Long Loyang, Long Ikang, Long Jegan and RSC Mulu in Miri.
She explained that among the roles played by the State JKM are to identify and coordinate evacuation centres (PPS), prepare and distribute aid, facilitate the registration of disaster victims for rehabilitation and provide counselling services.
Touching on the aid, she said the Department will provide dry food for victims who are in disconnected areas and cooked food for victims who have been relocated to PPS.
She also said that the State depo at Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa in Samarahan will be operational during the flood where all necessary items and equipment are well kept and ready to be dispatched to the affected places, especially evacuation centres.
A mini depo in Miri, Kuching and Samarahan respectively were also set up to ensure all flood victims will receive immediate assistance.
To date, Sarawak has 631 PPS which have been identified and ready to be activated. – DayakDaily
