Rising to the Challenge:
A Community’s Response to Flood Relief

When the devastating floods hit Malaysia in December 2021, thousands of families were displaced, their homes destroyed and their lives disrupted. In response to this natural disaster, UPLIFT (Pertubuhan Bangkit), with the support of the BAC Education Group, launched the Flood Relief Aid campaign. The initiative provided immediate humanitarian assistance to flood-affected families across Peninsular Malaysia, helping them rebuild their lives in the wake of the disaster.

The Campaign’s Inception

The Flood Relief Aid campaign was launched on 17th December 2021, with the primary objective of supporting displaced families and restoring what was lost in the floods. The initiative aimed to reach the most vulnerable communities in areas severely impacted by the floods, including Lanchang, Pahang, Mentakab, Temerloh, Taman Sri Muda (Shah Alam) and Paya Lebar (Hulu Langat).

With the support of community mobilisers, donors and volunteers, UPLIFT worked tirelessly to provide relief items that were essential for survival and recovery. This campaign not only helped people meet their immediate needs but also empowered them to begin rebuilding their lives with dignity.

Relief Aid Provided

UPLIFT’s Flood Relief Aid campaign focused on distributing much-needed items to affected families. The relief efforts provided essential supplies such as:

• Groceries (food baskets)
• Toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, hand sanitizer)
• Sanitary items (sanitary pads)
• Mosquito coils and candles
• Medicines (Panadol, Cap Kapak ointment)
• Household essentials (stoves, rice cookers, mattresses, kettles)
• Cleaning equipment (high-pressure washers to clean flood residue)

These items were crucial in helping families restore some normalcy to their daily lives and giving them the resources to begin cleaning their homes after the floods subsided.

Distribution Progress and Impact

From January to February 2022, UPLIFT distributed supplies to over 280 families across various flood-affected areas. Here are some of the notable distribution efforts:

• January 6th, 2022: Flood relief items were distributed to 150 families in Lanchang, Pahang. These families received essential toiletries, food items and medical supplies.
• February 18th - 25th, 2022: Relief aid was extended to several more flood-stricken areas. 80 Orang Asli families in Paya Lebar, Hulu Langat received food bags and drinking water as they faced severe shortages following the flood. Additional support was provided to families in Mentakab and Temerloh, where more than 90 households received essential household items like rice cookers, mattresses and water supplies.
• Selangor Relief Efforts: In flood-hit areas like Taman Sri Muda, where floods had risen to alarming levels, UPLIFT coordinated with local mobilisers to provide food, water and mattresses to affected families, particularly those living in refugee settlements.

The campaign also benefited from a RM30,000 donation from the Malaysian Association of Canada in collaboration with the Free Food Society, which further helped expand the scope of relief distribution.

Additionally, large corporations such as Heineken contributed generously, donating RM97,000 to the relief effort. This donation enabled the purchase of high-pressure washers and other cleaning tools to help flood victims clean their homes and recover more quickly.

Community Mobilisation and Volunteerism

At the heart of the Flood Relief Aid campaign were the dedicated community mobilisers and volunteers who worked on the ground to ensure that the aid reached those in need. Mobilisers from Lanchang, Mentakab and other affected areas played a crucial role in identifying families, coordinating logistics and distributing relief items efficiently.

From UPLIFT’s storage facility at The Mansion, located in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, volunteers and mobilisers collected and transported bulk orders of supplies to the affected regions. The operational costs for logistics were fully absorbed by UPLIFT, allowing donations to be used entirely for procuring relief items.

The SPOT Team (Soroptimist Puberty Organisation Toolkit), a group of community leaders, was instrumental in distributing the relief packages in Lanchang, ensuring that each family received the support they needed during these difficult times.

Long-term Recovery and Future Plans

While the immediate needs of families were addressed, UPLIFT understands that the recovery process does not end with the distribution of relief items. Flood victims face long-term challenges, including rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods and recovering emotionally from the trauma of displacement.

To ensure sustainable recovery, UPLIFT is exploring ways to provide ongoing support through initiatives such as:

• Educational support for children: Helping students return to school and providing necessary supplies like school uniforms and stationery.
• Psychosocial support: Offering mental health resources to help flood victims cope with the emotional toll of the disaster.
• Rebuilding efforts: Collaborating with partners to help rebuild homes and infrastructure damaged by the floods.

UPLIFT’s mission goes beyond just delivering aid; it seeks to help affected families rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

The Flood Relief Aid campaign led by UPLIFT has been a vital lifeline for hundreds of families affected by the devastating floods in Malaysia. By providing essential relief items and logistical support, UPLIFT has helped restore hope and a sense of normalcy to those most impacted by the disaster. This campaign is a shining example of how NGOs, corporate partners and community mobilisers can come together to deliver effective, life-changing aid in times of crisis. Moving forward, UPLIFT is committed to continuing its work in community development, ensuring that vulnerable communities have the resources and support they need to recover, rebuild and thrive.