NGOS ENCOURAGED TO USE KITAMATCH TO STREAMLINE DISASTER RELIEF

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Non-governmental organisations and local associations are encouraged to use KitaMatch.my, a disaster relief coordination application, to facilitate orderly sharing of information and aid distribution while preventing duplication during emergencies.

Malaysian Humanitarian Action and Coordination Hub (MATCH) chairman Tunku Temenggong of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah said that greater participation by NGOs would strengthen the country’s disaster management ecosystem and help expedite responses in affected areas.

“KitaMatch is a platform through which we can channel aid, provide comprehensive information, and share data on the needs of CSOs (civil society organisations), including in incidents such as landslides, floods, or pressing needs in villages, so that everyone is aware,” she said.

bootstrap slideshow

She said this during the press conference for the Media Launch: Accelerating Disaster Preparedness in Malaysia’s Third Sector at the Malaysian Red Crescent headquarters here today.

Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, who is also the MRC national chairman, said the idea to develop the application emerged in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge the information gap between donors, NGOs and the community, while also supporting government efforts, including those of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

“We form part of the relief ecosystem during floods or other disasters. We support government efforts, not compete with them, by helping to close the gap,” she said, adding that the platform had also received support from Yayasan Hasanah.

According to Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, the development and maintenance of a data platform like KitaMatch required continuous updates, as well as training for NGOs to ensure the application could be used optimally.

“Like all data platforms, it needs to be constantly updated and upgraded, and that requires funding. Our CSO partners also need continuous training to use the application,” she said, adding that village heads and local associations make the best users, as they understand the needs of their respective communities.

Meanwhile, MATCH head of operations Carrot Ho Chung Shin said the platform helps NGOs avoid duplication of aid and facilitates coordination between organisations.

“If an NGO enters the information into the portal, other NGOs can see whether the village has already received aid and what items are still needed. If other NGOs can assist with certain items, they can get in touch directly with the responding team,” he said.

Ho said that to date, KitaMatch has recorded 366 projects and over 120 field needs assessments since the platform was first used in 2023.

“MATCH currently has 60 registered NGOs and 130 active users. The training given to these NGOs enables them to input accurate information into the portal and prevent duplication of aid,” he said.

He said the centralised data also helps donors assess the effectiveness of funded projects and facilitates disaster response efforts.

--BERNAMA