Floods: NGO deploys self-designed rescue vehicle to help victims in Pasir Mas

The MRV, pictured here parked beside a flood-hit building in Kg Bungor, is able to travel through 2.4m (8ft) of water. – BERNAMApic

PASIR MAS: A non-governmental organisation (NGO) has deployed a self-designed multipurpose rescue vehicle (MRV) worth RM1.6mil to help flood victims in Kampung Bungor here.

Malay, Chinese, Indian and Others Welfare Association (MCIO) president Datuk Shaiful Nizam Abdullah said the MRV can perform various functions such as transporting goods, generating electricity and filtering raw water for drinking.

"During floods, regular lorries cannot access areas with high water levels. This MRV is specifically designed to navigate through waters up to 2.4m (8ft) deep.

"The four-wheel drive vehicle, standing at a height of 4.5m (15ft), enhances MCIO’s capacity to assist in disaster-affected areas throughout the peninsula,” he said on Monday (Jan 1) after distributing food supplies and visiting about 50 stranded flood victims in Kampung Bungor here.

The visit was in collaboration with the Kelantan State Development Office, the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, and the Kelantan Civil Defence Force.

State Development Office director Jasri Kasim said they view the use of the MRV as practical and hope to expand its use in Kelantan, considering the frequent occurrence of natural disasters.

"We will assess the need for the MRV to enhance preparedness and complement existing assets in Kelantan,” he said. – Bernama