Zulkaria (left) distributing items to the needy in Larkin.
FEWEr non-governmental organisations are going around to hand out free food to vagrants in Johor Baru city centre.
Among those still feeding the homeless is Insan Kasih Welfare Association (I-Kasih), a charity that has been giving out food packs and hygiene kits to needy people in downtown Johor Baru and Larkin since 2018.
I-Kasih president Zuraini Tahir said that at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation was handing out 300 packs of food daily.
“The vagrants did not have to worry about food then as many groups and generous individuals distributed meals several times a day from breakfast to supper,” he told StarMetro.
The number of volunteers in his association has decreased too, from around 40 people to about 15 presently, he said, adding that donations to I-Kasih had also dropped by about 70% this year.
“We hope our efforts can prevent the needy from resorting to crime just to keep their bellies full,” said Zuraini.
“However, due to the lack of donations, we are handing out free food only once a day now.
“The number of people we are currently helping has gone down to about 80, from more than 200 previously, as we are now more focused on the poor families in Larkin,” he said.
Food aside, the able-bodied vagrants have problems finding jobs.
“Most of them are looking for jobs that come with accommodation,” said Zuraini.
According to NGO Yusra Care Centre founder Zulkaria Ali, some vagrants had to pool together their limited resources to pay for accommodation so they could steer clear of local authorities who were taking steps to clean up the city centre.
“Sometimes, up to eight vagrants have to share a medium- sized room rented for RM250,” he said.
His charity along with five others have been actively engaging with homeless folk and needy families since Covid-19 hit the country two years ago.
“It is good to see the number of food aid recipients gradually decreasing, as it shows they managed to get out of their predicament,” he said, adding that the others moved to other locations or passed away.
Zulkaria said his association would continue caring for those in need by giving essential items and medical aid at various locations including Dataran Larkin, the old KTM station building, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Hospital Sultan Ismail and Bazar Karat.
Johor Baru City Council City zone councillor Suhaimi Ahmad said that previously, authorities designated an area at Laman Tun Sri Lanang along Jalan Ibrahim as a food distribution hub to prevent vagrants from roaming around the city centre.
The hub moved to an area behind Masjid India near Jalan Trus in the second half of last year where the vagrants were also vaccinated, he said.
“The situation has improved and many vagrants have been sent to homes in Perling and Anjung Singgah.
“The food distribution hub has also been closed,” he added.
Suhaimi hoped the issue could be further addressed soon when the RM7.64mil Johor Homeless Transit Centre in Taman Larkin Perdana is completed.
Meanwhile, Larkin assemblyman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the centre located in his constituency was about 70% completed.
“NGOs who wish to offer help will be able to approach the transit home directly rather than giving aid on the streets,” he said.
Zulkaria (left) distributing items to the needy in Larkin.
Zuraini (right) speaking to some of the vagrants.
