GEORGE TOWN – Penang has sent out its medical community emergency response teams and “Save City Volunteers” on a special humanitarian mission to assist flood victims in Pahang and Selangor.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government had also sent 75% of its voluntary firefighting team members to the flood-hit areas in the two states to help alleviate the victims’ burdens.
“All the 35 voluntary firefighting teams in Penang are in a state of preparedness,” he said in a statement today, adding that it would continue to communicate with the two states.
Chow said that based on Penang’s experience in facing a massive flood in November 2017 and its involvement in helping flood victims in the east coast in 2014, various parties in Penang including the state assemblymen and local authority councillors had acted fast following the flood incident.
“Not only did they arrive at the affected locations at an early stage, but food, medicine and rescue equipment were continuously sent out in stages to assist the flood victims.
“Corporate bodies, individuals, non-governmental organisations and other concerned parties also banded together with the state government to help flood victims in whatever way,” he recalled.
He added that although 17 years had passed, Penang had not forgotten that fateful date – December 26, 2004 – when the tsunami in the Andaman Sea destroyed the lives of some of the state’s inhabitants.
Yet, in the spirit of togetherness, Penang managed to rise again, including by assisting those facing difficulties.
Meanwhile, as a long-term measure, Penang – through the “Green Agenda”, including the “Resilience to Climate Emergency” approach – has set up a disaster unit, with research and data collection to be conducted by state agency Penang Green Council on related issues.
“In line with this too, a large-scale training plan involving 299 village communities management councils on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique, use of the automated external defibrillator, basic emergency assistance, and other skills training will be conducted," Chow said. – Bernama, December 26, 2021
