Floods: Over 1,000 volunteers under CRSM on standby to help relief efforts

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 1,000 volunteers under the Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) will be mobilised nationwide to help in flood relief efforts during the coming monsoon season, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

"This includes 132 elite teams specially trained by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to assist in search and rescue operations," the MCA secretary-general said at the launch of CRSM's mobilisation effort at Wisma MCA here on Friday (Oct 21)

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The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had recently issued an advisory in preparation of the coming monsoon season which is expected to begin in mid-November.

Chong noted that CRSM, which is part of Friends of Nadma, has more than a decade of experience in helping disaster relief efforts.

"We gained vast experience providing disaster relief assistance since 2004 when helping flood victims," he said.

There are currently about 1,300 non-governmental organisations under Friends of Nadma involving some 27,000 members nationwide.

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Chong said Nadma has identified 5,496 flood hotspots nationwide.

He said that CRSM will focus on critical hotspots in several states prone to flooding.

"Our focus will be on the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

"Also given focus are states such as Sarawak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johor," he added.

He advised residents in flood prone areas to prepare a ready-to-go bag containing vital documents and basic essentials in the event evacuation is needed due to fast-rising flood waters.

Based on Nadma's list, Sarawak has the highest number of flood-prone areas with a total of 1,034 hotspots, followed by Pahang (763) and Kelantan (595).

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The other hotspots are in Johor (432), Negri Sembilan (396), Selangor (336) and Terengganu (300).

Meanwhile, CRSM national chief Datuk Natalie Lim Chong Ly said that apart from aid distribution and evacuation, the relief teams will also help out with post-flood cleaning and rebuilding efforts.

She noted such help is greatly needed especially by disadvantaged families and the elderly.

Anyone interested in volunteering may contact 03-2203 3979 or visit the CRSM Facebook page for more details, she added.

She also welcomed donations towards the flood relief effort by contacting 03-2203 3920 or visiting www.gocare.org.my.