KUALA BERANG: The disaster relief centre at SMK Matang here has been fully upgraded from a temporary centre to a permanent one and is now ready for use, says National Disaster Management Agency.
Its director-general, Meor Ismail Meor Akim, said the upgrading works involved converting an unused hostel block at the school into a permanent disaster relief centre, carried out from July to December last year at a cost of about RM907,000.
He said it is the third such centre completed nationwide, following the completion of two similar centres in Johor – at Dewan Taman Kota Jaya and Dewan Arena Segitiga in Kota Tinggi.
“We plan to create 15 permanent disaster relief centres nationwide, either through new construction or by upgrading existing temporary centre facilities, and this is the third to be completed after the two in Johor.
“We aim to ensure greater comfort for flood victims, and we also hope the centre can be utilised outside the flood season so that it does not become a wasted facility,” he told reporters after attending the handover ceremony of the relief centre here yesterday, reported Bernama.
Meor Ismail said the relief centre, which can accommodate more than 200 flood victims at any one time, is equipped with improved facilities, including disability-friendly toilets.
The centre comprises seven rooms and a storage area that can serve as a forward base for essential supplies and food distribution during flood emergencies.
Meanwhile, he said all relevant agencies are on full alert in preparation for the next phase of the north-east monsoon, which is expected to begin today.
“Several states are currently experiencing floods, and this is only the middle of the monsoon season. Another surge of heavy rain is forecast, and all agencies have been on standby since the early stages,” he added.
