KOTA BARU: Food for flood victims in Kelantan will now be prepared through gotong-royong (community effort) by the victims themselves, with assistance from welfare personnel, starting this year.
State acting welfare director Md Yani Mat Zin said the state government made this decision during a recent meeting.
Following this, he said a total of 85 food suppliers have been appointed for the purpose.
"The last time we organised gotong-royong to cook food for flood victims was in 2019.
"The state government has decided to continue with the gotong-royong way this year and has allocated some budget for the purpose," he added.
On food and other daily supplies to the flood victims, he said all have been sent to the 17 mini supply depots statewide since September.
"The food supplies will be sent to the 459 flood relief centres in the state in stages," he added.
Md Yani said the leave of more than 400 welfare officers has been frozen since the monsoon season began on Nov 5.
The season is expected to continue until March next year.
Md Yani added that the federal and state governments had allocated more than RM4 million to provide food supplies and other essential items for flood victims in Kelantan this year.