Douglas: Sarawak Government to Fully Ensure Disaster Victims' Welfare, Continue Providing Aid and Recovery Work

(Kuching, Jan 1) Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, emphasized that the Sarawak government is committed to fully ensuring the welfare of flood victims housed in temporary evacuation centers, ensuring basic services and aid are provided timely.

He noted that the Sarawak government has ensured that every temporary evacuation center is equipped with sufficient food, bedding, and medical services to ensure the comfort and health of the victims.

"All evacuation centers are provided with mattresses, blankets, pillows, and food. In addition, medical services are promptly provided to victims in need of assistance."

He mentioned that this morning, two elderly victims at the temporary evacuation center in Lanchang Community Hall felt unwell and received immediate treatment from the on-site medical team.

Datuk Amar Douglas emphasized this during his interview while inspecting the temporary evacuation center at Lanchang Community Hall in Serian, stating that the Sarawak government is providing aid to remote villages cut off by floods, such as Melak village, which has been isolated due to the floods. The Sarawak Social Welfare Department is sending food supplies directly to the residents of the village.

"We will continue to monitor the situation in other villages and will issue evacuation orders immediately if the situation worsens to ensure the safety of residents."

He revealed that the temporary evacuation center at Lanchang Community Hall currently accommodates 220 victims from 59 families, while the Malay Village temporary evacuation center accommodates 100 victims from 28 families.

He stated that the Sarawak government will continue to provide support until the disaster is completely resolved.

Meanwhile, Datuk Amar Douglas revealed that there are 20 roads in Serian damaged by severe flooding, and the Sarawak Public Works Department has initiated emergency repair work to restore convenience for residents.

"The Public Works Department is making every effort to repair the damaged roads to ensure smooth traffic flow."

He stated that similar road repair works are also underway in Bintulu, especially in the Sebauh area, where the team is intensifying efforts to repair roads isolated by flooding.

He said the damage caused by the Sarawak floods is currently under assessment, with data collection work expected to commence the following day to accurately assess the overall impact.

He pointed out that the federal government has allocated funds to support the Sarawak flood relief efforts, and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari has also provided an additional RM10 million to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee for emergency needs and to assist disaster victims.

"This fund will help us respond more effectively to the disaster, ensuring the basic needs of the victims are met."

Datuk Amar Douglas noted that the flooding in Sarawak has been gradually easing over the past six days.

He disclosed that as of this morning, two temporary evacuation centers have been closed. The situation in affected areas is gradually being brought under control, and clean-up work has commenced in some areas, although the number of affected individuals remains high.

"As of yesterday, a total of 63 evacuation centers have been established across seven provinces in Sarawak, accommodating 3,696 families and a total of 12,692 people."

He emphasized that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee will continue to closely collaborate with relevant departments to continuously monitor the disaster and provide further assistance to affected residents.