Just as 2021 came to a close, heavy rains swept across Selangor and Pahang 2 weeks ago. Specifically, areas like Hulu Langat, Taman Sri Muda, Mentakab and few other low lying areas were particularly hit. Small streams turned into torrential currents that destroyed the neighbourhoods. The reservoirs threatened to break while electricity and phone networks were shut down in what became one of the region's worst natural catastrophe in recent years.
MAHSA University sprung to action for the flood relief in the above areas. In association with HRD Corp and Malaysian Red Crescent, MAIWP and Pusrawi Medical Centre, we have been providing Flood Relief Assistance and Medical Support for the past two weeks. We have given advise, consultation to the community and have treated numerous patients throughout this period. I was all set to go for my year end annual leave, when I saw this opportunity to be a member in the team that went to Mentakab, and saw this as a way to give back to society.
Our team was led by senior doctors like our Dean, Prof Rusli and Dr. Gomalata while another team led by Dr Abdul Ali, consisted of Dr Hussain Habil, Dr. Vetri and a few other altruistic members from the faculties. We made a commitment to providing humanitarian aid in this disaster-prone region and to support the community in rebuilding their lives. Our student volunteers from various faculties also exhibited great compassion by volunteering their time and efforts, which included actual physical labour such as cleaning the houses, removing the debris, throwing the junk and clutter and damaged stuff, and also removing the silt and mud from the paths. I would call this a “post disaster rebuilding” as this also included counselling the affected flood victims, and also providing basic medical care and medical examination.
When we set foot in the affected Taman, my group was instructed to manage the temporary relief sites in small teams, where in addition to cleaning up the vicinity, we managed to do medical examination and offer medicines to a few cases. We provided medical relief utilising basic medications, first aid kits, etc that was sponsored by MAHSA Health. We were scheduled to carry out our duties at inner streets, but heavy downpour 3 days ago thwarted our mission as flood waters had still partially covered some areas.
We moved base to the Mentakab School where many families had been evacuated and were provided with shelter. Having counselled many victims there, we felt that many of them faced both physical and emotional injuries on top of the loss of physical possessions and income sources. These effects were further worsened by COVID pandemic concerns which are even now felt by all levels of society.
Most often, flood victims not only suffer physical complications, but also experience psychosocial and mental health impacts which include psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, it was our duty to provide them with not only emergency medical responses but also rehabilitation and recovery, mitigation and prevention, as well as disaster preparedness knowledge.
As a member of a multi organisational team, I realised that it is important to have strong physical and mental abilities while on duty as a volunteer. Apart from that, I believe that the key to all any successful mission is teamwork – it promotes an atmosphere that fosters more than just friendship and loyalty. Only by working together, can we achieve greater heights.
After the flood relief activities, I returned home with a heart filled with joy and thankfulness to have had the privilege of helping other fellow humans. Touched by the trust and gratitude of those MAHSA has helped, volunteering is truly a platform I will forever hold dear to my heart.
This is Sri, signing off for now, with a sense of thankfulness.
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