Malaysian Flood Emergency Funds

A story from one of the helpers, active in Malaysia trying to help the flood victims...

Recently, Malaysia has had some pretty intense weather, namely rain and more of it that you can probably imagine. This has resulted in some parts of the country essentially becoming the new Atlantis. Over the past few days more and more reports have been filtering in from all over the place of bridges washed away, roads collapsing under landslides and rivers that have risen well over 20m in depth that have submerged entire villages. Seeing the photos of some of the places that I’ve visited in less wet times, it’s difficult to comprehend where so much water can come from in such a short period of time.

Of those affected, Malaysia’s aboriginal people (know here as the orang asli or ‘original people’) have been hit the hardest. Most of them still live a subsistence life, depending on the jungles surrounding them for everything from basic food to building materials to saleable items for the small amount of cash income that they need. During good weather, access to their villages can at times be challenging, but after the recent rains they are dealing with downed trees and destroyed bridges, not to mention the mud that makes getting anywhere a challenge for even the best equipped vehicles. Like many aboriginal peoples of the world, the orang asli aren’t exactly treated well by the powers that be; they are often considered squatters on land that they have occupied for centuries and in some cases aren’t even considered full Malaysian citizens. While discussion of these politically charged topics can be saved for another time, the point is that the flooding has only added to the hardship that these communities already deal with.

Thankfully I’ve come into contact with a group known as the Malaysia Elite Disaster Rescue Force who are putting together a relief effort set to begin 1st January 2015. As a result I’ll be following 6 4WD vehicles to a place known as Gua Musang where we will slog our way into the jungle to deliver much needed food, water and other basic supplies as well as doing what we can to get these isolated communities on the way to being back on their feet again. We will need to be fully self sufficient for 4 days, carrying enough fuel, food and water for 800km into what is essentially a disaster zone. Initial reports from these areas have indicated that phone coverage, sewerage, running water and power have been knocked out by the flooding. While things will be rough for us, its already even worse for those living there. In one village of 250 houses, only 8 have been left undamaged by the flood waters, with the average water level reaching the rooftops.

It would be amazing if you could sacrifice the cost of a few beers and send the money this way to help a community clean the mud from their few belongings and add to the following list of necessities:

1. Mineral water

2. Instant cup noodles

3. Biscuits

4. Baby milk powder

5. 3 in1 Milo, coffee & tea

6. Canned food with pull-up lids (they do not have can openers)

7. Baby Diapers

8. Sanitary pads

9. Rice

10. Cooking oil