KUCHING: The Sarawak Social Welfare Department has identified 658 temporary relief centres statewide in the event of floods during the ongoing North-East Monsoon.
State Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the department had also stocked up on essentials for flood victims at its depot in Samarahan and mini depots in Mukah, Kapit, Miri and Lawas.
"In addition, stocks of essentials are available at 12 divisional and district welfare offices as well as 24 forward bases in Sarawak," she told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly during her winding-up speech on Tuesday (Dec 2).
Sarawak has not experienced floods so far during the current monsoon season.
Separately, Fatimah said the state government allocated RM295.5mil for monthly welfare assistance this year.
As of October, RM249.2mil had been distributed to 56,660 recipients.
"Starting this year, the Social Welfare Department has improved governance and efficiency by integrating the social welfare assistance management and Sarawak accounting systems.
"This has shortened the process of paying out the assistance from 14 days to only five days," she said.
