Floods: Govt has disbursed RM10mil for flood victims in Johor, says Zahid

KOTA TINGGI: The government has disbursed RM10mil for the purchase of essential items needed by flood victims in Johor, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the disaster management funds have been given to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which is managing the allocations.

“I was informed that there is a shortage of essential items such as blankets, mattresses and pillows for the flood victims in certain areas, including Kota Tinggi.

“Nadma has informed all district officers, who are also chairmen of the respective district disaster management committees, to go ahead and purchase the essential items.

“We want Nadma to act fast to address the shortage of essential items.

“The floods are among the worst Johor has seen in recent years,” he told reporters after visiting flood victims at the SJKC New Kota temporary flood relief centre (PPS) here.

Earlier, he also visited the SK Datuk Usman Awang PPS and handed out aid to the victims.

In late 2006 and early 2007, Kota Tinggi was the hardest hit district in Johor – the worst floods in the state in over 50 years.

It forced more than 100,000 people to be evacuated to relief centres.

Ahmad Zahid added that the cause of the floods in Johor were due to extraordinary rainfall that led to the overflowing of rivers.

He also said that immediate works to improve the drainage system at Kota Mas and Kota Tinggi town are needed and RM7.6mil would be allocated for this purpose.

He added that he also asked Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri to mobilise Welfare Department staff from other states to assist the states affected by floods.

As of 4pm, Johor has recorded 28,099 flood victims seeking shelter at 197 relief centres in all 10 districts statewide, with Segamat being the worst-hit.