KUANTAN: Partition tents provided by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) for flood victims occupying relief centres here have put these evacuees at ease.
Unlike several years ago, when flood victims were only provided with plastic mats and blankets, the tents now provide privacy to the victims.
Measuring 2m by 2m, the dark blue tents pitched at relief centres is where most of the victims especially women and children spend their time while the men will be seated at the dining area.
Flood victim Asmawi Mohd Salleh from Sungai Isap Damai said the tent has allowed his entire family to rest comfortably.
The 46-year-old said when he was temporarily relocated to relief centres during the floods in 2011 and 2013, he only received a plastic mat, mattress and blankets.
"Flood victims feel more secured and relieved now as in the past most of us will not sleep on the mat during daytime as there will be a lot of people movements in the hall. Now, everyone have their own private space.
"I have a big family with seven children so we were given two tents. We are grateful to the government for assisting flood victims at relief centres. There is even variety here in the daily menu," he said when met at the Wisma Belia complex in Indera Mahkota today.
Retiree Mohd Salleh Abdullah, 47, said the tents allowed flood victims to rest and they no longer need to face the noisy situation in relief centres.
"I noticed most relief centres are equipped the tents provided by Nadma and 1M4U (1Malaysia for Youth) this year. Flood victims now feel more secured moving to relief centres compared to several years ago," he said.
Meanwhile, state Women and Family Development Committee chairman Datuk Seri Shahniza Shamsuddin said overall, flood relief centres in Pahang were well-managed by the agencies which were entrusted to handle the centres.
"The partition tents are among the changes, which have made a huge impact as it allowed the victims more privacy, especially for the women. Occupants can now perform their prayers or change clothes comfortably," she said, adding she was satisfied with the management of flood evacuees this year.