KUCHING: Flood victims in Sarawak are urged to register at the closest Resident's Office or temporary relief centre to facilitate aid distribution, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that if communication links are disrupted, flood victims can get in touch with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat so arrangements can be made to provide assistance.
"We encourage them to relocate to a relief centre or, at a minimum, register. This allows us, the JPBN secretariat, to know their whereabouts.
"Knowing the location of victims makes it easier for us to deliver assistance, which is why we've established centralised evacuation points.
"We can't reach every location due to limited staff," he said while visiting the relief centre at Dewan Haji Kamaruddin Ahmad Kampung Segedup on Saturday (Feb 1).
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, recognised the multitude of complaints received during this crisis.
He gave his assurance that both the JPBN secretariat and the Resident's Office are doing their utmost to provide aid.
"Victims need to understand that providing aid during an emergency is not an easy task. However, I'm confident that the best efforts are being made to ensure everyone receives assistance, especially concerning their safety," he stated.
"Additionally, we're working to provide food and shelter to ensure the best facilities possible to alleviate discomfort during this crisis.
"During such times, many shops are closed, making it hard to procure essentials like pillows, mattresses, and blankets," he added.
Fadillah indicated that managing the current disaster is particularly challenging, especially the floods in Bintulu, due to logistical hurdles and limited personnel.
The flooding in Sarawak is the worst in history, following continuous rainfall in various areas, including Bintulu, Serian, Samarahan, Kuching, Miri, and Sibu.
The JPBN stated that, as of last night, the number of flood victims had risen to 12,486 from 3,648 families across 62 centres, compared to 11,234 individuals from 3,187 families previously. – Bernama
