KUALA LUMPUR – Amid the monsoon season, the nod has been given to initial funding for disaster preparation, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof (Bersatu-Alor Gajah) said the Disaster Management Committee (DMC) has approved an initial aid of RM50,000 for state Disaster Centre Committees, district Disaster Centre Committees (RM20,000) and the Civil Defence Force (RM280,000).
He said 15,000 cubicles are ready for use at temporary relief centres (PPS), with another 26,000 to be sent in stages.
DMC on September 28 met with reps from state governments and other agencies.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has prepared more than 7,000 food kits for distribution nationwide, with 25,000 shipping out in stages.
The Rural Development Ministry and civil society groups have organised community-based disaster risk management programmes, both in-person and online, involving 4,264 participants.
Redzuan said Nadma began distributing disaster management guidelines on November 6 to all state DMCs.
“The contents include implementation before, during and after operations; disinfection and cleaning of surfaces, clothing and equipment; general information on Covid-19; pandemic prevention measures; and, contact tracing. Nadma is coordinating the procurement of personal protective equipment for frontliners during floods by following the prescribed SOP.
“Telecommunications companies have developed a disaster warning system to alert residents living in at-risk locations by sending them warnings via SMS, based on reports by the Meteorological Department.”
Currently, 5,422 PPS are ready to accommodate at least 200 flood victims each. In total, the centres are able to house about 1.55 million people. – The Vibes, December 1, 2020
