Rebuilding Kelantan
When the December 2014 floods hit, Kelantan was one of the states that had to face a nearly total destruction of property, and losses of life in some cases. First hand account by volunteers were heart-rending: seen were abandoned houses, floating debris (including automobiles and bodies) and survivors running to the hills, fighting for their lives against the elements.
Very strong currents hampered the delivery of aid to the needy areas. Some issues of political differences were (rightly or wrongly) brought to the fore when the federal government was slow to response to the declaration of a national emergency.
The Kelantanese people staying in various parts of Malaysia showed their solidarity by initiating food donations and driving up to the affected areas, using their own 4-wheel drives. Such courage is also seen in the people's will to live, to rebuild their lives and start over better.
Eventually various aids were deployed by both the private and public sectors, attending to the immediate needs of clean water and medical care. Last week most schools opened with students given the flexibility to wear regular t-shirts and clothes to school. Temporary shelters have been set up progressively, starting with tents, to temporary housing made of plywood, to houses made with packed sandbags.. and perhaps also refurbished containers.
From my perspective, I have utmost respect to to the social workers and volunteers who put others' interest before themselves. May they all be blessed with more courage, more heart and bravery to continue the good deeds of serving those in need.
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