UAE to rush urgent relief to Malaysian flood-stricken regions

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and President of Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), has instructed the ERC to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to flood victims in Malaysia and launch a massive humanitarian programme to meet the basic needs of the flood-affected population.
Flash floods struck the State of Pahang, north-east of Malaysia, leaving 160,000 people homeless.
The ERC immediately swung into action to implement Sheikh Hamdan's instructions by sending a team of aid workers led by Saeed Al Mazrouie to Malaysia.
The team, which arrived in Malaysia on Saturday, conducted field visits to flood-stricken regions to assess their needs and held a series of meetings with the concerned Malaysian authorities to coordinate delivery of relief to the affected regions.
Al Mazrouie said his team had been informed by the Malaysian authorities about the relief supplies desperately needed for the time being.
He added that the ERC had purchased material to address these needs from the local markets which will be immediately delivered to the affected people.
He said that boats will also be provided to ferry and evacuate trapped people to shelters which have been prepared to receive them.