SANDAKAN: More than RM1mil in assistance has been channelled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire, covering daily meals, cash aid and essential supplies.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the aid, delivered under the ministry and its agencies, included nearly RM900,000 spent on daily food supplies.
She added that Yayasan Kebajikan Negara had contributed RM200,000 in cash to the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee fund, alongside essential items worth RM205,000 distributed to affected families, while corporate partner Sime Darby also provided hygiene kits, mattresses and pillows.
“The total from our side is about RM505,000, apart from contributions by other donors including Sime Darby. In addition to that, we have been providing daily food, with spending now close to RM900,000,” she said during a visit to victims at the temporary relief centre at the Sri Harapan Welfare Home here on Tuesday (April 28).
The April 19 fire destroyed about 1,000 houses in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, leaving 9,007 people homeless.
A total of 1,905 victims from 384 families are currently housed at eight temporary relief centres, including Dewan PPR Batu Sapi, SK Gas, SK Kampung Bahagia, SMK Batu Sapi, SK Karamunting, Dewan Sibuga, the Sri Harapan Welfare Home and the Sim-Sim futsal court.
Nancy said the Social Welfare Department was coordinating operations at the centres, including registering victims through its disaster information system, distributing essential items and providing meals three times daily.
She added that 48 Social Welfare Department personnel, supported by 15 volunteers, had been deployed to manage operations and ensure the well-being of victims.
Nancy said the ministry was also focusing on the emotional well-being of victims, with psychosocial support provided through trained personnel.
“From a welfare perspective, we have many agencies assisting. We have counsellors now, and if needed, we will bring in more support through the Social Welfare Department, including for health-related care, as well as support from the National Population and Family Development Board,” she said.
A total of 262 victims have received psychosocial intervention sessions at several temporary relief centres between April 20 and 23 to help stabilise emotions, reduce trauma and support recovery.
She said various agencies, including the Social Welfare Department and the National Population and Family Development Board, were ready to be mobilised to further strengthen support if needed.
Nancy added that the ministry would continue to work closely with the Sabah government to assess needs on the ground and ensure assistance is delivered effectively.
