Notify district officers, Residents of disasters, community leaders told
KUCHING: Community leaders play an important role in notifying the district officer or Resident, who act as chairman of the district disaster management committee, of any disaster that hit communities in their respective areas.
Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said this is because information gathered by these community leaders is based on what happens on the ground.
“This is where the role of community leaders is important – to notify either the district office or Resident’s Office of any disaster. They should go to either offices, or alternatively to the Welfare Department office closest to them,” she said.
Fatimah was met after handing out assistance to victims of a recent fire and storm at her office here, yesterday.
A total of 10 fire victims and two storm victims from Kuching division received a total of RM53,200 and RM1,300 respectively from the Sarawak government.
She added the amount of assistance received by victims is based on information gathered on the ground by welfare officers.
“For longhouse fire victims, each family will get RM5,000 to ease their burden of constructing the framework for their ‘bilek’ (unit).
“Overall, the amount of assistance handed out so far this year for victims of drought, fire and storms is approximately RM1.5 million.”
Meanwhile, at the same function, Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba) Sarawak assistant operations director Tiong Ling Hii said as of Aug 15, there
This is where the role of community leaders is important – to notify either the district office or Resident’s Office of any disaster. They should go to either offices, or alternatively to the Welfare Department office closest to them. Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development
have been 77 cases of fires involving homes across the state, including 16 longhouses.
“When there is a fire, it is not just properties that are lost but also lives in some cases.
“We advise the public to be more cautious, especially during the dry season, because fires will spread very rapidly.
“Before leaving the house, make sure all kitchen appliances are switched off, and also monitor your children whenever they are playing inside or outside the house, more so now that it is the school holidays,” he said.