Social Welfare Department operates eight disaster depots, 11 state stores and 119 district stores to support flood evacuees across Malaysia
PARIT BUNTAR: Malaysia has established eight strategic depots storing basic disaster necessities across multiple states to supply areas potentially cut off during emergencies.
Social Welfare Department director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan confirmed the depots are located in Bedong, Kedah; Muar, Johor; Sungai Buloh, Selangor; Marang, Terengganu; Kemumin Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan; Kuantan, Pahang; Kota Samarahan, Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
The department additionally maintains 11 state stores, 119 district stores, 65 mini depots and 562 forward bases nationwide.
“We have 5,789 officers and personnel stationed at relief centres throughout the country,” Che Murad said.
He added that 5,744 department volunteers are also deployed to support relief operations.
“Currently many states have opened relief centres to house flood evacuees,” he told reporters after closing the Pantuk Tirai @ MADANI Adopted Village programme here.
Che Murad confirmed he has contacted all state directors for updates and that all centres remain under control.
The department received 50,000 retort-packed food units from the National Disaster Management Agency for distribution to flood victims.
“In the 24-hour period after centres are opened, we will provide the food in retort packs first,” he explained.
Communal cooking activities are activated subsequently to prepare meals for evacuees. – Bernama
