KOTA KINABALU – A group of undocumented migrant women who were forced to resort to eating only clams and kangkung since the start of the pandemic to survive have finally received aid, thanks to individual well-wishers.
The donors, who wished to remain anonymous, stepped forward to assist Diana Mus, Fatma Hapis, Majira Abdula, Mari and Siti Halija after reading about their plight in The Vibes last week.
One of the donors said she does not represent any non-governmental organisation (NGO), and that the group she is representing is offering the aid out of a sense of charity.
“Hari Raya Aidiladha is coming up and, as Muslims, we want to 'sedekah' (donate) to the needy.
“We were saddened by their story. I am aware that the government will not be able to help them as they are foreigners.
“They would be courting controversy if they do it,” said one of the donors after meeting the five women, who live in a squatter colony behind a popular mall here.
More aid will arrive for them on Friday, said the donor, as she handed food baskets to the migrant women.
Previously, The Vibes had reported that some individuals approached Diana and her friends on the pretext of getting the latter food aid, but after receiving their details and taking their photos, the individuals never returned.
Instead, Diana said, they discovered that the photos have gone viral, attached with a note soliciting donations from the public.
The women, whose husbands have lost their jobs at the start of the pandemic, have also resorted to feeding their babies water mixed with sugar or condensed milk as they could not afford formula.
Currently, the state government only issues aid to those listed under the e-Kasih programme and hardcore poor Malaysians.
Recently, Sabah Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmy Yahya said while the state does not provide food aid to migrants, he has appealed to NGOs to come forward to help them. – The Vibes, July 15, 2021
