Association brings another batch of food aid to foreign workers
MIRI: Miri Kaying Community Youth delivered another batch of food aid to nearly 40 families of foreign labourers in Senadin, Tudan and Permyjaya areas yesterday, following calls pleading for food from them.
The association’s Youth chief, Donny Koo, said they had been receiving phone calls from foreign workers, particularly those from Sabah and Indonesia, a er they ran out of food.
“We were told by some of them that they had received food aid from the state government through elected representatives at their respective areas, but the items received were completely consumed within a week or so.
“Understanding their circumstances where a rented house may be occupied by more than one family, we collected information from them and their contact to allow us to follow up on their situation a er that,” said Koo.
The essential food items, he revealed, were contributed by several individuals who wished to remain anonymous.
The donations include cooking oil, rice, dry food and canned food; while there are also milk formula and disposable diapers for families with infants.
Monetary donation, he added, also came from as far as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and all purchases from the donations were recorded for transparency.
Koo thanked the Miri Thai Poo Community Youth and Miri Rainbow Chorus Society for voluntarily distributing the food aid.
Meanwhile, Koo had also taken notice of calls appealing for food from those under the M40 group.
“Some of those under the M40 group who approached us may live in a nicer house compared to those we’ve usually assisted, but they are also victims of the pandemic.
“With zero income, they are burdened by house mortgage, car loan and other debts, this group of people had received the least help. We felt that more help should be channelled to them, to provide some comfort to them,” he said.
In fact, he added, the scaling system no longer applies during the pandemic, as almost everyone is affected.
“It is time for us to focus on humanitarian effort without looking at the scale or outlook because we will never know the story behind their struggle,” said Koo.