KUANTAN: The Pahang government has approved an additional budget of RM8 million to cater to the daily needs of flood victims across the state, especially those sheltering at evacuation centres.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the budget, to be channelled to the Welfare Department as approved during the state executive council meeting on Friday, will ensure the wellbeing of flood victims.
"To date, the Welfare Department has spent about RM3.4 million, of which RM2.9 million was used to buy daily necessities, while other expenses include RM434,000 for flood victims at locations cut off by floods.
"A total of RM19,748 was distributed to district Welfare Offices, while RM16,900 was channelled to Disaster Operation Control Centres," he told reporters today.
Wan Rosdy also said the RM11 million, which was set aside earlier for floods this year, is the second-highest ever allocated since the 2014/15 floods when RM57 million was earmarked to cater to some 100,000 victims.
He said in 2016, the flood allocation was RM16,493, but this surged to RM1.9 million in 2017; RM1.9 million in 2018; and RM46,200 in 2019.
"The budget varies each year depending on the needs of the floods victims and levels of severity."
Wan Rosdy also advised flood victims, staff members on duty and volunteers to always prioritise their safety.
"To curb the Covid-19 pandemic, always abide by the Standard Operating Procedures set by the National Security Council.
"We will brave through these challenging times together and take care of each other with God's blessings, Insya-Allah (God willing) we shall succeed."