SANDAKAN: Aid from across Sabah is reaching residents displaced by the fire at Kampung Bahagia in Sandakan, according to people involved in the relief effort.
Residents and volunteers said donations arrived at Masjid Kampung Bahagia from early morning until after midnight following the fire that destroyed the village. They said donors came from several parts of Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu and Tawau, and brought food, water and other basic supplies.
Mukmin Andang, a factory supervisor who said he was also affected by the fire, said he stayed at the site while his wife and five children remained at a temporary evacuation centre to help organise incoming aid.
“I’ve been here helping to organise the situation and manage the aid coming in so it can be distributed more properly. Many people are helping, but it is still difficult to control,” the 40-year-old factory supervisor said.
He said aid started arriving at about 6am and continued through the day, but supplies did not match current needs. He said the site had received many clothes, while displaced residents needed pillows and mattresses because some might have to stay there for some time.
Irwan Albani, the imam of Masjid Kampung Bahagia, said overcrowding at relief centres made it hard to place large families. “In some cases, one family can have 11 or 12 members, and they have to stay in one tent. There is simply not enough space, so some have no choice but to stay here,” he said.
Shelina Azhar, a local business owner, said she sent 2,000 packed meals, about 60 canopies, baby supplies and other basic goods after seeing the scale of the damage.
“We saw that they lost their homes and had nowhere to stay. Many didn’t even have time to take anything with them, not even money. So we came down to help in any way we can,” she said.
Hykall Harrazz, a Sandakan-based businessman and tourism agency operator, said he and friends collected RM1,300 to buy diapers and formula milk, which they repacked for distribution.
“We just wanted to do something, even if it’s small. When we saw families losing everything, especially those with babies, it really hit us,” he said.
People involved in the relief effort said many victims still did not know how long they would remain displaced.
A child walks past makeshift shelters under dim lights after the fire.
Displaced residents settle into makeshift sleeping spaces with limited room.
Children eat donated meals while sheltering with their families.
Families cling to belongings salvaged from the fire as they rebuild.
Donours distribute bottled water to victims amid ongoing relief efforts.
Crowds gather as aid is handed out during late-night distribution.
Residents reach out for essential supplies as donations arrive.
Children and families wait quietly as relief efforts continue.
Families take shelter under temporary canopies as they await further assistance.
