Relief efforts ramp up as Malaysian floods worsen

Rescue and relief efforts have been ramped up as floods worsen, submerging large areas of south and eastern Peninsula Malaysia.

Teams from Malaysian Red Crescent have been rescuing people and providing relief in the worst affected states of Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, and Terengganu since the floods began.

“We are very concerned for the safety and wellbeing of more than 50,000 people who have been evacuated and swamped by these terrible floods in the middle of a worsening COVID-19 pandemic. These floods are getting worse by the hour, turning large areas into inland seas. We are rushing more teams to the worst-affected areas to complement evacuation efforts, providing hygiene kits and psychological support as well as helping to keep people safe from COVID-19 in areas devastated by the flooding. We will also provide cash for people to meet other immediate needs as soon as local stores and markets can reopen,” said Malaysian Red Crescent Honorary Secretary-General, Haji Hakim Hamzah.

Since the flooding first began submerging areas in Johor, Pahang, and other areas, Malaysian Red Crescent teams have been working alongside authorities to keep people safe as they evacuate and ensuring access to essential relief supplies.

“These floods are a double blow for tens of thousands of people already coping with the crippling social, economic and psychological impacts of COVID-19 as cases continue to rise across Malaysia,” said Head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Asia Pacific Disaster, Climate and Crisis Unit, Necephor Mghendi.

The IFRC has released more than 127,000 Swiss Francs ($143,000 USD), to provide urgent relief including cash assistance, hygiene kits, and psychological support for 5,000 people over the next three months.