Figure 1: GiveBACk.my volunteers offload essential items at Kg. Kuda Semantan
Torrential rains continue to wreak havoc in Raub, displacing hundreds of families, damaging their homes, and destroying their meagre possessions. But within 24 hours, Malaysians rallied to help victims by donating RM 15,000 to provide essential hygiene kits for women, pampers, baby formula, mineral water, and non-perishable food items.
On January 5th, 2020, in response to a call for help by Raub’s MP Office and District Officer, GiveBACk.my immediately launched a fundraiser to aid flood victims. Within 3 hours, the fundraising platform managed to raise over RM 9,000. Volunteers were immediately mobilised to purchase and transport these much-needed items the very next day to villages in dire need, who were identified by Mr Rashid (Raub MP’s Office) and Mr Khairul (District Officer, Raub).
Figure 2: Essential items ready for distribution.
With supplies loaded into two vehicles, volunteers from GoodNews and GiveBACk.my made their way to Raub where they visited five separate locations – Kampung Ulu Jeruas, Jeram Besu, Kampung Tersan, Kampung Tersang, and Kampung Kuda Semantan.
Figure 3: Distributing Essentials.
When speaking with the affected villagers, we learned that their furniture, clothes, kitchen equipment were all destroyed. Some families were only left with the clothes on their back, while others had nothing to eat for two days. Flood waters reached window levels in certain villages, while others were totally submerged.
Figure 4: Kg Jeram Besu. Excited with their milo and hot cups!
The villages shared their experiences and recalled the moments just before the floods wrecked their homes. “The floods formed quickly, and it did not give us time to save any belongings” said one villager.
“The water reached above the windows of our home (pointing to the water marks that were made by the flood). Even our makeshift gazebo ended up on the other side of our home. Everything is destroyed and we are now trying to salvage what we can,” she continued.
Figure 5: Kg Kuda Semantan. A villager attempts to salvage personal items and furniture damaged by flood water.
Despite losing their homes and almost all their belongings, the villagers were in high spirits and offered us some jackfruit as a way of saying thanks.
Figure 6: Kg Tersang. Calm and thankful for the aid received, she appealed only for food, basic kitchen equipment and groceries.
Want to help? Visit GiveBACk.my to donate or volunteer.
Photo credits: Moo Tik Pin
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