KUALA LUMPUR JAN.20: The government has recognised the contributions of the civil society organisations (CSO) in the disaster management and as such its roles should be empowered and their involvements are much appreciated.
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, the coordinated involvement of CSO could help the delivery assistance process to the flood victims to run smoothly.
He said, the community empowerment should also be elevated to form a society with high resilience on disaster risk. The role of every member of the community as the first responder should be instilled whenever a disaster occurs and not depending only on the rescue agency.
“I have instructed the responsible agency to speed up the development of Phase 2 Prediction and Flood Warning Programme (PRAB) that is managed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) that covers 38 main river basins nationwide to enable early accurate flood focus could be released.
“On the dessimnation of information to the members of the public, the best and the fastest methods to release early warnings and directives specifically to the people living in the low and flood risk areas should be impoved, for example using WhatsApp apps and push notification via the cooperation of telecommunication companies,” Ismail said in his speech at the special session on the national floods at Dewan Rakyat here today.
The Prime Minister added, the flood visual simulation, infographic and others should be taken as important consideration as it could be disseminated widely through the mass media and social media.
On the preparation of food, Ismail said, the retort technology or meals ready to eat should be used to distribute food to flood victims as this packaging system will last longer and is water proof.
Ismail added, the chairman and agency under the Disaster Management Committee at every level should be competent and play its roles that are in line with the National Security Council Directives No.20.
“On the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), it should not be looked as a simple matter. DRR should be improved as a “whole of society approach” and intilled in all aspects including development, economy, education, health and others. This is important as disaster management is everybody’s concern.
“Communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) is the important key to be implemented continuously to form shared responsibility including in DRR,”Ismail reiterated.
Besides that he added, local authorities should continuously play its roles to ensure that the monsoon drains especially in the cities and the surburbs are always in good conditions and not blocked by rubbish heaps. This is to reduce flash floods to occur that could cause losses in properties. –Malaysia World News
