Doing more together in a caring community

In mid-January 2021 when the monsoon rains came pouring down for three consecutive days, more than 5800 people in Johor whose homes were affected by severe floods, were evacuated to temporary relief centres.

Dr Ng Kim Fong of Persatuan Doktor-Doktor Johor,
assisted in the PCR Test exercise for IMSHA winners 
at the KPJ Bandar Dato' Onn Specialists Hospital 

As the rain came down in a constant shower, my mother reminisced about her own experience during World War Two when flood waters rose quickly in the wooden hut that she and her family were hiding in.

It was past midnight that rainy night when grandmother got up to prepare milk to feed Uncle Billy, then an infant, and she was shocked to step into ankle-deep flood waters!

She sounded the alarm and when everyone had climbed up to the ceiling rafters, they watched in horror as the flood waters rose higher and higher. It was an unforgettable experience for mum because for days, they were trapped up there while they waited for the flood waters to recede.

Consistent rainfall which caused the floods in low-lying areas in and around Johor Baru this January was no different and the victims were quickly evacuated for their own safety.

Emergency response to help victims to evacuate and assist with post-flood cleaning in areas where the flood water had receded was provided by the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) Winners Network, made up of over 100 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Governmental Individuals (NGIs).

The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly changed how humanitarian work was carried out. Aid providers must work in stricter conditions, adhere to the SOPs of social distancing, wear facemasks, face shields, PPE and stay sanitized.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, cautioned that although not compulsory, aid providers were advised to take the Covid-19 test as a safety measure and to reduce the risk of potential exposure to the Corona virus.

Dr Ng Kim Fong, presenting a Care Pack
to IMSHA Winners Network NGO, 
Ihsan Johor volunteer, after taking the test
 

In caring for the safety and welfare of the NGOs and NGIs, KPJ Bandar Dato’ Onn Specialist Hospital collaborated with IMSHA to sponsor Covid-19 RT-PCR swab tests for volunteers in the Red Zone areas.

"We care and appreciate the volunteers for helping the flood victims, by providing them with the RT-PCR Covid-19 test,” said KPJ Bandar Dato’ Onn Specialist Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Noor Haslina Harun.

"It is our hope that such measures could curb the spread of Covid-19 infection in the community," she added.

Edey Suresh, founder of the Social Hero Foundation and IMSHA, warmly welcomed the collaboration with KPJ Bandar Dato’ Onn Specialist Hospital.

He observed that handling a crisis during a pandemic raised new challenges but thanks to the caring society at large, the safety and spirit of humanitarian responders was never hampered.

“It is vital to deliver uninterrupted humanitarian aid to vulnerable people, but the challenge is to ensure that it is done while strictly obeying the SOP guidelines which is important for controlling the spread of Covid-19,” said Edey.

Helping to realise the collaboration was Dr Ng Kim Fong, President of Persatuan Doktor-Doktor Johor, who have been actively collaborating with many IMSHA Winners Network of NGOs and NGIs.

“It's amazing when NGOs in Johor work together as it enables us to give more to the people who are in need. We are honoured that Persatuan Doktor-Doktor Johor can play our role in this collaboration,” said Dr Ng Kim Fong.

Among the NGOs who took the tests were volunteers from Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor, Yayasan Kebajikan Suria, AmalTeam Johor, Kechara Soup Kitchen and Johor Women’s League (JEWEL).

IMSHA Leadership Council Chairman,
Thanam Visvanathan [Right] had her swab test
done in a drive-though exercise at
KPJ Bandar Dato' Onn Specialists Hospital

“Thank you to IMSHA and KPJ Bandar Dato’ Onn for your help and concern in ensuring that volunteers are kept healthy and free from illness for our sake and the people we visit. May we always be protected and continue to serve,” said Romzi Abdul Aziz from AmalTeam Johor.

Local humanitarian aid providers are not new to crisis situations but during the global pandemic, they are now exposed to the risk of infection while they provide relief to victims and vulnerable communities.

They shoulder the burden of providing aid to the communities that they have helped while Covid-19 adds to the already vast challenges they face.

To help them help others, you can connect with them to offer your support. For more details, kindly contact: Edey Suresh at the Social Hero Foundation, Tel: +6012 7265286 or send email to: edeysuresh@theiskandarian.com

Note:

The Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) is an annual event to ‘Spot, Recognise and Empower’ CSOs (Civil Society Organisations), NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), NGIs (Non-Governmental Individuals) and Corporate entities who are making a difference in our communities through social service.

IMSHA is an initiative by the Social Hero Foundation (SHF) which is a non-profit organisation based in Johor. For the latest information on IMSHA, visit:

Website: http://socialheroawards.com/

FB page: www.facebook.com/socialheroawards