Sazli (centre) delivering items to village head Mohd Ridzal Mohd Hamdan (right) for the beneficiaries of Kampung Laut. Looking on is Hairul.
PETRONAS Foundation and Southern Region Petronas have channelled RM35,000 worth of basic supplies and refurbishment goods to assist about 1,600 flood victims in Johor Baru.
The aid, distributed through the foundation’s Sentuhan Kasih disaster relief programme, was also to improve several communal facilities that were damaged by floods such as a preschool and the community hall in Kampung Laut and Kampung Sepakat Baru.
Petronas Foundation chief executive officer Nelly Francis Shariah said recent floods added to the financial burden of B40 families who were trying to make ends meet amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) highlighted the need of displaced flood victims from these two villages who sought shelter at temporary flood relief centres.
“We distributed furniture, including plastic chairs, tables and whiteboards, to Kampung Sepakat Baru.
“Chairs and tables for children, a teacher’s desk with drawers, a whiteboard and a refrigerator were delivered to Kampung Laut community hall as well.
“The affected villagers also received a cylinder tank of liquefied petroleum gas and refill each, ” she said.
Nelly said Petronas Foundation’s Sentuhan Kasih disaster relief initiative was a community well-being assistance in line with Petronas’ Sustainability Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are also working with Nadma and other non-governmental organisations to identify the needs of flood victims in other states, ” she added.
Meanwhile, Southern Region Petronas head Sazli Zakaria said the company had been working closely with Mukim Tebrau village head Hairul Hamid to help affected villagers and identify communal facilities that required restoration and refurbishment.
“The number of flood victims in Johor peaked at 7,439 early last month.
“Many B40 families are still facing challenges in rebuilding their homes and restoring what was lost.
“We hope this small contribution will help ease the burden of these families so that they are able to resume daily activities as soon as possible, ” he said.
He added that Petronas Dagangan Bhd also delivered 236 cartons of mineral water to the flood relief centres in the villages.
In early January, Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Corporation, with the help of Pejabat Penghulu Mukim Pengerang and Pantai Timur, contributed RM10,000 worth of food and equipment to aid 77 families in Pengerang.
“The standing thermometers, sanitary kits, face masks, hand sanitisers and food items were provided to help the families that were evacuated from their houses in the area, ” said Sazli.
