KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM), through its Social Welfare Department (JKM), has so far distributed 336,916 food baskets to the needy.
The distribution is being made throughout the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) period, and the food baskets have benefitted 1.34 million households.
In a statement, JKM said that the total number of food baskets distributed does not include donations from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector establishments and individuals.
"The cost for the food baskets is covered by an allocation from the Finance Ministry and Covid-19 Fund," it said.
JKM is responsible for coordinating the distribution of the food baskets, in collaboration with the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) and the Civil Defence Force (APM).
JKM said it will continue distributing the food baskets during Phase 4 of the MCO which begins on April 29.
"Among the essential items included (in the food baskets are) rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, condensed milk, salt, rice vermicelli, dried fish, soy sauce, chilli sauce, sardines, tea/coffee, biscuits, spices and dried chillies.
"If there is any stock shortage for the items listed, or any other special requests from local authorities and targeted groups in Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas, the State JKM and the Social Welfare district office will replace the items with similar products," it said.
As for donations by other parties such as NGOs, private companies and individuals, the JKM's role is to accept, inspect and distribute the items to the needy. It is at the donors' discretion to determine the type, value and quantity of the items to be donated, and also to which target group the aid will go.
The public can refer anyone who has been identified as being in need of assistance, especially those who have yet to receive their food baskets, to JKM's operations room at 03-8323 1996, or by reaching out to the State JKM and the district social welfare office via the Talian Kasih line at 15999.