Giving aid to the migrant communities
By Caritas Malaysia
Mar 5 2022
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” – St. Mother Teresa
AMEE from Taman Daya, Meru, Selangor was one of those who were caught unexpected in this situation. Flooding is a norm where she lives with her housing area being flooded at least once a year but only affecting the areas outside her home. However, this time it was different. The heavy rains continued pounding from 17 Dec 2021. By 19 Dec, water had reached waist level and she knew she had to evacuate or face worse consequences.
After moving her furniture to higher level, she and her 19-year-old college son waded to SMK Meru where many other families had gathered for temporary relief. However, her son was not so lucky. Carrying his laptop and pushing his bike, the strong currents caused him to fall in the drain. Feeling broken they continued their journey to the school with the damaged laptop, handphone and bike.
After the flood waters had receded, they went home and found all their furniture destroyed. Grateful for all family members surviving this ordeal, they knew that the road to recovery is going to be a long journey. Although they received immediate help for food and new mattresses, Amee still faced the nagging question of how she was going to replace her son’s damaged laptop and repair his motorbike so that he can continue with his studies.
As Covid-19 had changed the way students learn, many of his assignments and study materials stored in his phone and laptop were lost due to the fall in the flood waters. With both her husband’s and her salary as a security guard in the nearby school, they only have enough to cover their family of four children’s expenses.
Amee and her son with the items replaced with the help received from the National Flood Relief Fund
Sensing his parents’ difficulty in this trying time, her son had tried to persuade her to let him put his studies on hold temporarily while they sort out replacing all the damaged items.
It was then that they were approached by the parish priest from the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Klang with news that Caritas Malaysia (CM) had launched the National Flood Relief Fund to support the flood victims. Thanks to generous donors, the National Flood Relief Fund was able to render help.
The coordinator, Audrey, collected information of affected households and families needing help in Taman Daya, Meru and discussed it with the parish priest. The request was then passed on to the diocese Caritas office for verification, before being sent to Caritas Malaysia and the Bishop for approval. With the money received from this fund, priority was given to replacing Amee’s son’s laptop, repairing his bike and handphone so that he can still continue his studies.
There is still the question of paying for her other children’s school fees, purchase of school books, replacing the furniture and other damaged goods. Nevertheless, she is relieved that at least her eldest child can still continue to pursue his studies and surrenders all her troubles to God knowing that He will do the rest while they do their best to provide for their four children. She is also grateful to all the donors who had contributed as they had it made possible for her to replace the most important items first.
Meanwhile, on the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia, the state of Pahang was also badly affected. “The flood that hit Mentakab and Temerloh early of this year was the worst since the last 25 years to my knowledge . Probably the worse ever!!” said Prekash Amaldass, Chairman, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH), Mentakab.
Church leaders from OLPH visiting flood victims and assessing damages in Mentakab
The water levels reached as high as 9-feet and completely submerged some of the houses. The flood this time came without any warnings or signs, so fast that the residents in the affected area were unable to save much of their belongings except for some important documents, medicine and clothes.
They left their homes and headed for shelter at the flood relief center and stayed there for nine days. Immediately after the flood had subsided, the Church leaders from OLPH visited the flood victims in Mentakab, assessed the damages and distributed immediate relief items such as dry food, mattresses and electrical appliances which were delivered by NGO’s.
Several days after, the OLPH leaders visited the flood victims again to assess the amount of damages to their property and houses . The muddy water remained for a further three days, thus causing major damages to the houses especially the wooden doors, electrical appliances, wiring and wall painting.
The government bodies and NGO had assisted them with the necessary households items. Hence, when OLPH leaders visited them they were all asking for cash aid to enable them to repair the damages to their houses.
Extensive damages to houses that were submerged under flood waters for days
“Their help comes in timely for the 27 families we have found in need, especially single parents and the elderly. They come from all faiths and walks of life.”
Immediate relief of food items and replacement of household items to restart their lives were also provided to 39 families in Bentong through the Sacred Heart Church. The items included kettles, rice cookers, table fans, mattresses and gas stoves.
Across the South China Sea to Sabah; Telupid, Paitan and Beluran are some of the areas that were hit with continuous heavy rains from Dec 2021 to Jan 2022. Church leaders and the Parish Caritas in that area had “turun padang” and identified approximately 170 families who were affected by the floods.
Besides the shortage of food, these families also suffered damages to their homes. They received aid in the form of food supplies as well as restoration to their homes through the National Flood Relief Fund. Although it will not help solve their problems entirely, it will at least alleviate some of their financial burden.
The parish priest was gracious in expressing his gratitude: “The parish of our Lady of Fatima, Beluran would like to express our million thanks and gratitude to Caritas Malaysia and all the donors for the great help received in the most difficult time during the floods. On behalf of the victims’ families, we really appreciate the donor’s contribution which we have received. I pray for God’s blessing for Caritas and all the donors for a fruitful service in the Lord. Once again big thank you, amen,” said Fr Philip Anthony Muji.
Apart from Malaysian citizens, the various migrant communities and families were also affected by the floods. Some of them were stunned and felt abandoned as their homes were inundated with rising flood waters. They were grateful when a few NGOs and human rights organizations came forward to support them by providing reliefs and shelter.
Among these NGOs, North South Initiative (NSI) reached out to the Caritas National Flood Relief Fund to support the migrant communities. A team of five people from different nationalities was set-up by NSI to identify the most affected migrant communities and raise assistance for them.
With the funds received, NSI was able to provide essential dry foods such as rice, eggs, noodles, and others items to 50 Bangladeshi and 50 Nepali migrant workers. They also received mattresses and pillows, as they too had lost everything in the floods. It is through times like this that we truly know, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
