Sharing resources through #MealsOnUs

When news of the illegal chemical dumping was shared, nobody anticipated how the conditions could deteriorate further and turn it into a critical situation where so many lives are threatened.

Loading up packs of lunch onto trucks for delivery
to the first responders at the crisis centers

Since March 6, the unpleasant situation arising from illegal chemical dumping has escalated and by March 13, some 506 victims were treated while 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were closed.

With the opening of Johor Port and the development of Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate, Pasir Gudang, a former seaside village, has transformed into an industrial hub, developed with schools and residential properties.

From last week, relevant authorities have been working tirelessly to help the victims, mainly students and residents in the affected areas.

Some of the more seriously affected have been admitted to hospitals while teams continue to work hard at community halls, which have been turned into make-shift emergency centers.

Trucks lined up at Amari Johor Baru to collect lunch packs

As the situation worsened day-by-day, concerned citizens and NGOs started to consider ways in which they could contribute constructively to help.

Iskandar Malaysia has no shortage of social heroes and some of them have been recognised with the Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Awards (IMSHA) for their charitable and selfless social work in the community.

In light of the critical situation in Pasir Gudang, they have come together to pool their resources and offer help.

The #MealsOnUs Project aims to get hotels to sponsor food aid to the first responders who are still working on the ground.

Transport and distribution volunteers with
the team at Amari Johor Baru

They include personnel from the Police, Fire department, Public Services, Environment department, medical teams from Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) and Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI), and other government agencies.

These first responders – the unsung heroes – have been working tirelessly at the front line while risking their own health and safety, often without proper sleep or meals.

The IMSHA winners who have come forward to offer their help include the JB Tracers, JB Trucks 4x4, Kechara Soup Kitchen and Causeway Riders.

With the help of Secretary of Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Johor Chapter, Yvonne Loh, who is also an IMSHA Leadership Council member, they have coordinated sponsorship of 150 packs of food from hotels in Johor to provide lunch and dinner to the first responders.

Within two days since the appeal for help was issued, a host of hotels in Johor have responded positively.

At the time of writing, the list of participating hotels and resorts include Amari Johor Baru, Thistle Johor Baru, Puteri Pacific Hotel, Swiss Inn Hotel, Le Grandeur Palm Resort, Pulai Springs Resort, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, Ponderosa Golf Resort, Somerset Puteri Harbour, Millesime Hotel, Holiday Villa, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru, hotels in the Care Luxury Group involving Granada Hotel, Trove JB and Tunamaya Desaru Resort, New York Hotel, Good Hope Hotel, Silka Hotel, Grand Paragon Hotel, Mutiara JB, Renaissance JB, Jen Puteri Harbour and even Lotus Desaru Resort and Lakeview Terrace in Pengerang.

The first delivery of packed lunch today was sponsored by Amari Johor Baru and Thistle Johor Baru while the transport was provided by volunteers from various groups including JB Trucks 4 x 4, JB Tracers, Causeway Riders and Kechara Soup Kitchen.

Transport and distribution volunteers with
the team at Thistle Johor Baru

A schedule for #MealsOnUs has been arranged for the meal sponsors and transport volunteers to ensure that meals will reach the first responders who are working at the crisis centers.

Chairman of MAH Johor Chapter, Ivan Teo, who is also General Manager of Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, was at the crisis center yesterday to pledge further help, if the need should arise.

As the end of this crisis is still not within sight, the victims may have a long road to recovery.

With this in mind, the support from corporate bodies is much needed and any ideas or proposals to help are welcome for discussion and consideration.

Please send your message by email: razalijbtracer@gmail.com

As we see how the community is coming together to help in time of need, IMSHA’s objective to share resources to create a resilient community, is being met.