KOTA KINABALU: Help continues to pour in for fire victims of the Kg Bahagia blaze in Sandakan, this time with essentials and mattresses from the Sabah Tavan Welfare and Entrepreneurship Association.
Founder of the association, Elaine Wong said for his programme, they prepared 200 units of single mattresses, used clothing, toothbrushes and food aids among other things all the way from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.
“We worked with Datuk Azis Jamman of Parti Warisan and handed over the items to the Warisan Karamunting Sandakan Office before they were distributed to identified fire victims,” she said.
She said for this humanitarian mission, their objective was to help victims rebuild their lives, little by little.
Wong said this joint humanitarian effort reflects the strong spirit of unity, caring and mutual support among non-governmental organisations, community leaders and local political representatives in serving the people during difficult times.
“Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Usahawan Tavan Sabah will continue to support community welfare programmes and emergency relief missions throughout Sabah in the future,” she said.
As of noon Saturday (April 25), a total of 1,905 registered victims are still taking shelter at the various relief centres in Sandakan.
Earlier, it was reported that some 9,000 people were affected by the April 19 fire which destroyed around 1,000 wooden structures that were built tightly together.
This fire has sparked quick and immediate response from various government and non-governmental agencies.
The Prime Minister and state government have declared flood relief aid to all victims, regardless of status, while long-term housing solutions will prioritise Malaysians.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor recently said the state is considering developing Kampung Bahagia in Batu Sapi here into a recognised village while Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail assured that replacement of identity documents would be examined on a case-by-case basis.
However, this swift and efficient response to the fire has raised another question among flood victims in Paitan, who wanted to know whether they too would get any of such attention and quick assistance from the government.
The flood which hit Paitan two months ago was seen as one of the worst ever, with over 1,000 people displaced, houses, schools and other buildings destroyed.
Other than Paitan, the neighbouring areas of Pitas, Kota Marudu, Sandakan and Beluran were also badly affected.
Many are still living with relatives as they were unable to rebuild their homes due to financial constraints, while many children are now either having classes in other temporary halls or online due to the damaged school.
Many have gone to social media to ask what the government plans to do to help them, as most of them are native Malaysian citizens.
They are asking whether their plight is seen also as terrible and difficult as the Kg Bahagia fire victims, or are they second-class citizens who are still living in limbo following the recurring disaster.
