THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA REPORT ON: THE SALVATION ARMY’S RESPONSE TO FLOODS IN MALAYSIA AND THE PLIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAINS IN THE EAST COAST MENTAKAB, TEMERLOH & KUALA KRAU PAHANG DURING THE PERIOD 28 DECEMBER 2014 TO 3 JANUARY 2015 REPORTED BY: MAJOR TAN GUAT HAI KUALA LUMPUR TEAM LEADER PREPARED BY: KELSEY KUEK PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR FOR: TERRITORIAL HEADQUARTERS SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA INTRODUCTION Heavy seasonal rains and strong winds have affected most parts of Malaysia since mid- December 2014 and are expected to continue until early January 2015. The rains have caused severe flooding in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia namely; Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan. In addition to the three most affected states, four other states in the Peninsular (Perak, Johor, Selangor and Perlis) and one state in East Malaysia (Sabah) are also experiencing floods due to the heavy and persistent rainfalls. Till this point, the highest flood was recorded at 255 mm (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), 31 December 2014). This is undeniably the worst flooding in decades. By 31 December 2014, the flood had taken the lives of up to 21 people and displaced almost a quarter of a million others. Kelantan was the worst-hit state, with 14 deaths and more than 158, 000 people displaced (Agence-France-Presse, 31 December 2014). On 26 December 2014, Major Tan Guat Hai, Kuala Lumpur Corps Team Leader contacted Major Hary Haran, Territorial Programme Secretary seeking advice and direction from Territorial Headquarters to set up an emergency relief team to help in areas affected by the flood. At the same time, Major Tan was also in contact with Mr Stanley Yeong who was already in Mentakab, Pahang. Major Tan travelled there to meet up with him and assess the critical conditions of the victims there together. This report outlines the response, the amounts of aid distributed, the places where aid was given and the development of the Emergency Flood Relief 2014. Also included in this report are photographs and extracts from newspaper reports. Kelsey Kuek Public Relations Coordinator Relations Office – Kuala Lumpur [email protected] 2 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA CONTENTS News on the Flood………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4 Daily Account on the Emergency Relief Operation………………………………………………………….. 9 Short Testimonies………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20 Overview: Emergency Relief Distributed…………………………………………………………………………. 22 Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24 Newspaper Clipping……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Appendix I: Food Distribution Records Appendix II: Food Distribution Records Transcript Appendix III: Thank You Letters 3 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA NEWS ON THE FLOOD Even by Malaysian standards, the flooding that started around Christmas 2014 was overwhelming. Neighbourhoods turned into islands surrounded by a sea of murky brown water, rivers overflowed onto the streets, and cars were swept away and toppled over. CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam reported: Strong high pressure developed over Eastern Europe and Chine and strong northeasterly winds from the South China Sea brought heavier rainfall over Malaysia, Indonesia and southern Thailand. As such, while the affected areas along Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast are actually accustomed to monsoons, the “northeast monsoon” that has gripped Malaysia in December 2014-January 2015 was particularly harsh. The Rakyat Post Published: 26 December 2014 11:50am Number of flood evacuees passes the 100, 000 mark Residents of Kuala Krau braving the flood waters at the Temerloh-Jerantut road yesterday. Pahang is rapidly becoming one of the worst hit states in the flood. - Bernama pic 4 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA The Star Online The Star/Asia News Network Published: 27 December 2014 3:33pm Published: 30 December 2014 BY FOONG PEK YEE Situation getting worse in eight districts in Pahang Floods: Central Pahang on high alert KUANTAN – Eight districts in Pahang are badly KUALA LUMPUR: The Flooding in Pahang is affected by the floods which saw 37, 389 moving downstream and Temerloh, people from 9, 065 families displaced from Mentakab and Triang are on high alert, their homes. Pahang MCA chief Datuk Hoh Khai Mun said. Topping the list was Temerloh with 15, 366 people from 77 villages, followed by Jerantut While the situation in Kuantan and Sungei with 6, 025 people from 52 villages and Pekan Lembing has improved, the number of with 5, 108 people from 40 villages. flood victims in relief centres in Kuantan was still the highest, 15, 072 out of the The figures are expected to climb due to total 35, 561 in Pahang as of 8am Saturday, continuous rainfall with the Malaysian Hoh said when contacted in the Meteorological Department issuing a warning afternoon… on heavy rain and strong winds for the next 48 hours…. …Continuous rain over the last 24 hours also saw Temerloh and Mentakab towns inundated with knee deep waters. The Star Online Published: 28 December 2014 Floods: Pahang prepares for third wave KUANTAN: The people in Pahang have been told to face third wave of floods expected to strike from Monday until Wednesday… … “Two very important things to focus on in times of floods are the efforts of the relevant agencies in saving lives and drinks to victims.” So far four deaths have been reported in Pahang, each in Lipis, Jerantut, Temerloh and Sungai Lembing. 5 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA The Malay Mail Online Published: 3 January 2015 BY MELISSA CHI In Temerloh, villagers ‘not on the list’ appeal to NGOs for supplies as village chiefs cherry pick recipients TEMERLOH – Even as Malaysians from all walks of life donated massive amounts of food and daily essentials to flood victims, some in Temerloh are claiming they have not receive any as village chief picked recipients. Housewife Hashimah Abdul Halim from Kampung Lubuk Kawah said ample supplies had been given to the village chief to be distributed but her family as well as many others did not receive any as their names were “not on the list”. “Thank god we have enough supplies as aid was sent in about three times since the flooding began. 6 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA “But most of the time they were from NGOs. The government only sent once and they only gave us one kilo of rice,” she told Malay Mail Online outside her home yesterday. Speaking in Malay, she said her husband has been going to the distribution centre by boat to pick up supplies as well as arrange for the authorities to help send in aid to the villagers here. Already hosting three families, the 52-year-old said about 40 homes in her village were cut off while three homes were completely flooded. “I want to appeal to the public, if you want to donate, please do so through NGOs or make arrangements to send them straight to the victims. Don’t go through the village chiefs. “I feel for them. As water recedes further tomorrow and people start to go home, they will need supplies such as food and clothes,” she said. 7 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA Kuala Krau Mentakab Temerloh Chenor 8 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA DAILY ACCOUNT OF THE EMERGENCY FLOOD RELIEF 26 December 2014 A day after Christmas, Major Tan wrote to the Programme Secretary, Major Hary seeking direction and advice from The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters (THQ) to set up an emergency relief operation to help the flood victims of the East Coast in Peninsular Malaysia. He informed Major Hary that the current flooding situation was very bad; to the extent that most of the important roads to the flood affected areas had been closed. On top of that, electricity had also been cut off for some parts of the states there. As such, it was difficult to enter the areas by van alone and it was dangerous to travel at once the day gets dark. Major Tan shared his plan to visit the affected areas once the roads were reopened to further assess the situation and understand the people’s immediate needs before being able to provide aid. 27 December 2014 Major Hary responded and approved Major Tan’s request to travel to make assessments. He kindly requested Major Tan to update THQ regarding his following plan of action while he will see to the necessary interim approvals to set up an emergency relief operation. 30 December 2014 Major Tan updated Major Hary that roads were still closed. He was, however, in close contact with Mr Stanley Yeong who was already at the scene, rescuing and helping flood victims in Mentakab, Pahang. Mr Stanley was raised in The Salvation Army Penang Boy’s Home when he was still a young boy. He has grown to be a strong Christian and a very respectable man. Mr Stanley was working with the Bomba & Penyelamat Mentakab (firemen) to evacuate people who were trapped in the flood. The firemen at Mentakab had graciously offered their premise to The Salvation Army to be used as their base of operation. Major Tan also sought approval from Major Hary to purchase a boat. Even if The Salvation Army had the necessary resources, they would need a boat for transportation. Mr Stanley had two 9 THE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA & MYANMAR TERRITORY PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA boats at his disposal at that time which he generously offered to lend to The Salvation Army in their Emergency Relief Operation.