KUCHING: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is ready to offer counselling services and social support to Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission participants, and these will be extended to their families.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said any form of coordination involving the GSF mission participants outside the country would be made with the cooperation of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure safety and aid procedures were under control.
"Counselling assistance is one of the main services we provide, especially in terms of counselling for those facing trauma or whatever other forms of support that are needed.
"If a situation like this involves foreign countries, we need to collaborate with Wisma Putra. They will provide guidance on whether we continue to act or how best to help, so that our officers will not be threatened," she said.
She told this to reporters after attending the National Welfare Foundation Volunteerism and Community Care Programme at i-CATS University College here on Saturday (Oct 4).
Nancy said her ministry has been prepared through the Social Welfare Department in each region to provide appropriate assistance, including trauma counselling and social referrals to individuals and family members who are affected or in need.
The GSF mission, with more than 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, sailed to Gaza as a symbol of solidarity and an effort to break Israel's barriers by bringing important supplies to the Palestinian population affected by the Zionist regime's continuous attacks.
According to the latest developments announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, 23 Malaysians involved in the GSF delegation, who have been detained by Israel since Thursday, will be taken out of Israel today via a special plane to Istanbul, Turkiye.
Meanwhile, in her remarks at the programme, Nancy also emphasised the success of the Local Social Support Centre (PSSS), under her minstry and the National Welfare Foundation, which has been a bastion of community support since it was founded in 2021.
"As of September, this year, as many as 134,395 individuals had received benefits from PSSS, involving issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, divorce and financial burdens.
"PSSS was also named the best project in the 2024 Women, Family and Community Development Ministry Outcome Report with a record of 96% methodology compliance and 95% outcome achievement, showing the programme’s effectiveness in helping people face various social challenges," she said.
Today's programme also saw the launch of the 'Friends of PSSS YKN: Caring Students' initiative which provides opportunities for students to appear as volunteers and first responders at the community level. — Bernama
