CWS Miri gives relief assistance to fire victims
MIRI: The Catholic Welfare Services (CWS) here comprising Bintulu, Marudi, Baram, Limbang and Miri, which falls under the Miri Diocese, has been busy sending relief assistance to fi re victims at several longhouses within the diocese.
On Nov 30, CWS Miri headed by Monsignor Francis Kulleh who is the parish priest of St Michael’s Parish Batu Niah, handed over donations to the fi re victims of Rumah Usek Sumpit in Sungai Keriuk, Niah, which was destroyed by fi re on Nov 24.
Accompanying Francis were Marcus Hugo Matu the chairman of CWS Miri and several exco members including Alexius N. Munan (vice chairman) and Henry Tanging (ass secretary).
Francis handed over the cash donation ( special Sunday collection) from St Michael’s Church while Marcus delivered the CWS donation of food and cash, to the headman (Tuai Rumah Usek).
According to Usek, more than 300 people were made homeless after their 49- door longhouse was destroyed by the fi re.
Thankfully, there was no human casualty.
The fire victims are putting up with their relatives and friends while others have to put up at makeshift huts near the site of the burnt longhouse.
The CWS also rendered relief aids to victims of natural disasters in the diocese.
“Last week, CWS delivered a donation of 200 boxes of used clothing, food items and some cash to the fi re victims of 30door ( longhouse) Uma Bakung Sungai Asap in Belaga. The items were received by their chief Martha Bilong.
“The programme was made possible with assistance from Belaga Team Offroad 4x4 who used 10 four-wheel drive vehicles for delivery of the items,” Marcus said when contacted yesterday.
He added that last week, another CWS Miri team also handed over food items and other necessities to fi re victims in Kampung Merican, here ( Miri) while a team in Bintulu presented donations to another fire victims at Kampung Assykirin ( Bintulu).