Batang Kali landslide: Social Welfare Dept offering psychosocial services to victims

PUTRAJAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, has stationed psychology officers at the Hulu Yam Baru police station in Selangor to conduct crisis intervention and provide psychological support to victims and their families who are traumatised by the landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor.

The department said, in a statement Saturday (Dec 17), that it was working closely with hospitals to ensure victims and their families receive the support they need.

"The ministry, through the Social Welfare Department and the Malaysian Board of Counsellors, is prepared to reach out to affected victims and families after obtaining complete information to offer psychosocial support assistance, including counselling for a suitable period,” the statement read.

The department is also playing its role in aid missions to the victims and their families, including distributing food supplies as well as necessities such as blankets, towels and hygiene kits.

"The department is always in contact and is ready for further instructions from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) or the district office to assist at the location of the incident.

"Let’s all pray together that the search and rescue efforts can run smoothly and all the victims can be found as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The 300m landslide, with a depth of 70m, hit the campsite at 2.42am Friday (Dec 16).

As of 6pm Saturday, nine people remained missing while 24 have been confirmed dead out of a total of 94 victims as the search and rescue operation entered its second day. - Bernama