JKKKs urged to act as quick response teams during disasters
BINTULU: The Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) must enhance their roles to effectively respond to natural disasters in their respective areas.
Bintulu District officer Mataip Sayu said the village or longhouse chiefs cannot work alone because they need to get their people involved in disaster management.
In case of disaster, he said the JKKKs should be the first to respond and provide information to the relevant government agencies.
Effective and efficient JKKKs he said will allow the relevant agencies to provide and distribute relief aid quickly and efficiently.
The district officer urged village and longhouse chiefs to update the list of residents in their areas to facilitate the distribution of relief aid when ever necessary.
Mataip also urged the JKKKs to utilise the technology by creating their own WhatsApp groups.
“Nowadays, many issues can easily go viral, which we cannot verify the source. The grassroots leaders should therefore keep the relevant agencies updated, because they can make their own assessment on the situation,” said Mataip during a Disaster Management with Community programme at Bintulu Civic Centre on Friday.
He suggested that every village set up their system to benchmark the flood water level inorder to give them ample time to respond should they need to evacuate their homes.
Mataip said in flood disaster, the risk and impact can be minimised if they have a proper contingency plan.
“Some risks can be avoided but others might need an effective contingency plan,” he said adding that this is where the grassroots leaders need to play their role as coordinators.
At the event, a total of RM185,500 cash aid was distributed to 371 families from Bintulu who were affected by the recent flood.