Helping flood victims rebuild

Timely contribution: Chong at the handover ceremony by MFC to CRSM Selangor.

PETALING JAYA: About 50 families affected by last month’s floods in Selangor will be getting aid from crowdfunding platform GoCare to rebuild and refurbish their homes.

This came about after the Malaysia Furniture Council (MFC) responded to GoCare’s Flood Relief Home Rebuilding Campaign by donating furniture worth RM252,300.

The Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) will help distribute the furniture, as well as essential goods and electrical appliances, to the affected households.

In addition to the dining tables, chairs, wardrobes, sofas and cupboards, CRSM also distributed kettles, gas stoves, fans, water filters, dry food and hygiene products.

GoCare is an initiative started by the CRSM to help the underprivileged through charity fundraising.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, who witnessed the handover ceremony by MFC chairman Khoo Yeow Chong to CRSM Selangor, said the floods last month had inflicted major damage on the affected areas.

“A large number of furniture and electrical appliances were submerged in floodwater, economic activities were disrupted and an estimated RM4bil to RM8bil evaporated from our economy.

“Knowing that a lot of furniture and appliances were damaged by the floods in December, CRSM jumped into action to crowdsource funds and furniture through GoCare to help the victims rebuild,” he said.

Chong thanked all the kind-hearted people and enterprises who had helped raise RM170,000 in donations so far and over RM1mil in kind for the flood victims.

Khoo said the MFC had started to raise money and furniture when the floods hit last month. It has now collected furniture worth about RM1.2mil.

He also said that through CRSM’s collaboration and coordination, the furniture was delivered to Jelebu in Negri Sembilan; Bentong and Temerloh in Pahang; Melaka; and Segamat and Paloh in Johor.

Selangor CRSM chief Chng Soo Chau said kind deeds are like sunshine as they bring warmth to the community.

Through GoCare’s post-flood rebuilding plan, he said he hopes to crowdfund enough to help 1,000 families.

Chng also encouraged the public to donate mattresses, pillows, sheets, gas stoves, rice cookers, kettles, refrigerators and electrical appliances to help the victims rebuild their homes before the Chinese New Year celebration.

Donors can visit GoCare’s website at https://gocare.org.my/product/flood-relief-bring-warmth-2022/ or call its hotline at 03-2203 3920 or WhatsApp to 019-669 6275 or 019-669 6278.