KUCHING: Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Beradek has been identified by the Sarawak Government to be used as a Permanent Evacuation Centre (PPK) in the region.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Federal Government has approved funding to establish a PPK in Sarawak as part of preparations for the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season.
“They (the Federal Government) have allocated funds to build a PPK in SK Beradek. However, for now, we are not experiencing any issues with the Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS).
“Nevertheless, I feel it is good for us to have a permanent evacuation centre, because most of what we are using as PPK now are schools, and this could pose a problem during the school term,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after chairing a SDMC meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Tuesday.
Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah added that the idea of establishing a PPK can overcome the problem of overcrowding in PPS, particularly in flood-prone areas with large populations.
“We are also assessing the need for such facilities in areas with larger populations. For instance, in Batu Kawah which often faces flooding, the PPS tends to become overcrowded.
“Then we can recommend building a PPK with existing facilities and can accommodate approximately 500 flood victims at a time,” he explained.
Meanwhile, he said the committee in collaboaration with the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKM) under the Sarawak Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) has taken the initiative to provide 2,000 retort meals to flood victims relocated to PPS, while waiting for other food assistance.
To date, 661 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) have been launched throughout Sarawak, capable of accommodating up to 160,819 flood victims.
Also present were KPWK Minister, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom, and Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik. -UKASnews
