UMP sends volunteers to focus on clean-up operations and aid distribution

MENTAKAB, 27 December 2021 - Focusing on clean-up operations and aid distribution, 100 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) volunteers spent two days to help clean up students’ houses and neighbourhoods in Taman Mentakab Indah which were badly affected by the recent floods.

Realising the problem of water disruption in flood-affected locations, UMP also brought seven water tanks belonging to the university to carry out cleaning work.

Residents get water supplied by Pengurusan Air Pahang Berhad (PAIP) through tanker trucks stationed here.

According to Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, who performs the function of the Vice-Chancellor of UMP, since the floods hit Pahang, the UMP Disaster Management Steering Committee has coordinated and mobilised volunteer mission efforts by channelling aid, including food and equipment for staff and students affected by the floods.

As the Deputy Chairman of Yayasan UMP, he said that Yayasan UMP also allocated RM50,000 in preparation to help flood victims through emergency assistance for basic necessities, groceries, blankets and hygiene kits to the affected UMP staff and students.

“UMP operations rooms operate on both campuses to coordinate the movement of volunteer missions not only involving UMP volunteers but also several other Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) in an effort to coordinate post-flood assistance since the floods hit the state,” he said while joining the Post-Flood Humanitarian Mission Programme in Mentakab.

The programme was also joined by the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad who participated in cleaning students’ houses here.

She also presented Yayasan UMP donations to students and families.

Meanwhile, students severely affected by the floods will receive RM1,000 and essential items from Yayasan UMP.

Mohamad Hakimi Mohd Nor, a student from the Faculty of Industrial Management (FPI) said although the residential area has been hit by floods several times, this time the disaster is quite unusual.

“The highest water level was recorded in last January, which was about an inch from the ceiling, but this time it exceeded the roof of the house,” he said.

He was grateful for UMP assistance in easing the burden of his family by cleaning their house.

Meanwhile, a postgraduate student from the Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering Technology (FTKPM), Putri Nur Farhanah Mohd. Shamsuddin, whose house was also badly affected by the floods, said she and her family were moved by the presence of UMP volunteers to help clean her flood-ravaged house.

The help of fellow students helped her speed up the cleaning of the house.

At the same time, Yayasan UMP, in collaboration with UMP Holdings Group and UMP Women’s Association (Matahari), also distributed drinking water, basic necessities, groceries, food, cleaning kits and blankets for the local community.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology