NGOs hand out essential supplies to families living at landfill

KOTA KINABALU: The plight of over 250 families living amid tonnes of rubbish at the Sandakan landfill area has caught the attention of non-governmental organisations.

With the help of locals from Sandakan, Happy Caring Hearts, Streetfeeders of Kuala Lumpur, Medal4Awesomeness and Stick It to Me have pitched in to raise funds for the families during this fasting month.

Yesterday, the NGOs distributed essential supplies such as rice, canned food, dates, biscuits and drinks to those in the area.

Happy Caring Hearts co-founder Jennifer Chua said it was a heartbreaking sight to see people living among rubbish.

“It is sad to see rubbish everywhere. I can’t imagine how tough it is for them to live here,” said Chua after handing 250 packs of essentials for the families and 150 goodie bags for the children.

She hopes the items will provide them with better food for their breaking of fast.

“It is not much but we hope it will help them,” she added.

It is learnt that the families, mostly illegal immigrants or the stateless, have been living there for 10 years.

The children there are mostly illi­terate and walk around barefoot.