Last year, Sarawak experienced eight major flood episodes.
KUCHING: Delays in the disbursement of disaster relief aid to victims of floods and fire outbreaks in rural Sarawak are causing growing hardship among affected communities, several state assemblymen told the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today.
Two assemblymen from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition said prolonged delays in financial and material assistance had left many rural residents struggling to rebuild their lives after disasters.
Assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong (GPS-Machan) said flood victims in his constituency and other rural areas were frequently forced to wait long periods before receiving assistance.
“What are the reasons for such delays in aid for those suffering from these disasters?
“The relevant ministries and agencies responsible for disaster relief assistance must improve their delivery,” he said during the state assembly debate session.
Gramong added that the issue affected not only flood victims but also families impacted by fire outbreaks.
Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS-Telang Usan) said some longhouse residents in his constituency in northern Sarawak had still not received promised aid years after their homes were destroyed by fire.
“I know of families whose homes were destroyed in fire outbreaks three years ago.
“However, until now they have not received the promised assistance to rebuild their homes.
“Some of these fire victims are living in makeshift huts, while others have had to move in with relatives.
“What are the reasons for such prolonged delays?” he asked during the question-and-answer session.
Ngau said the ministries and agencies responsible for assisting disaster victims must improve their delivery systems.
“Are these delays caused by documentation issues, logistical problems or land matters?
“These problems must be addressed comprehensively,” he said, adding that floods and fire outbreaks were becoming increasingly frequent.
Responding to the concerns, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Ricky Razi Sitam said the ministry was continuously working to improve aid delivery to disaster victims.
“We are coordinating closely with the Social Welfare Department, the State Disaster Management Committee and disaster committees at divisional and district levels.
“Many affected victims are living in areas with significant geographical and logistical challenges.
“We in Sarawak are concerned about these victims, but there are many difficult issues to overcome in ensuring aid reaches the affected groups,” he said.
Last year, Sarawak experienced eight major flood episodes.
The state also recorded dozens of fire outbreaks affecting longhouses last year, continuing a trend seen almost every year in the past.
Of Sarawak’s estimated population of 2.8 million, about one million live in rural districts.
The current state assembly sitting will continue until May 20.
