KL APM ready to send more teams to assist Johor flood victims

KUALA LUMPUR: The Civil Defence Force (APM) of Kuala Lumpur is on standby mode to mobilise two of its volunteer teams to help rescue flood victims in the state of Johor.

Kuala Lumpur APM director Col (PA) Effendy Ali said on Wednesday (March 2) that APM had sent a team to the Segamat district with a strength of 20 officers and personnel including a lorry and boat as well as personal protective equipment (PPE).

"We have received a request from the head office to stand by one or two more teams to Johor. When we get the greenlight, we will send them there tonight.

"Currently six states are affected by floods but the biggest one is in Johor, so it is possible that we will go there. Aid to other states depends on the situation from time to time," he said.

He told reporters after attending a blood donation campaign in conjunction with Civil Defence Force Month 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur APM hall, here, today.

The Johor State Disaster Management Committee said the number of flood victims has so far more than doubled to 25,213 people this morning, and all 10 districts in the state have been hit.

Segamat is the worst affected district with 2,050 families transferred to 55 Temporary Transfer Centres (PPS), followed by Kluang with a total of 1,559 families in 39 PPS; Kota Tinggi with 769 families in 18 PPS; Johor Bahru involved 607 families in 12 PPS and Pontian with 58 families in five PPS.

Commenting on Civil Defence Force Month 2023, he said APM will celebrate its 71st anniversary or Platinum Decade on March 24.

"To fill the programme, we have planned several types of activities including the blood donation campaign in Kuala Lumpur today and on March 19. Meanwhile, in Labuan, on March 12 to 13, there will be a programme to treat members of asnaf as well as strengthen rescue training for the public, including in the water," he said. - Bernama