YOUTH VOLUNTEERS UNITE TO HELP FLOOD-STRICKEN KAMPUNG SELABAK RESIDENTS

TELUK INTAN, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- As rising floodwaters inundated Kampung Selabak, a group of youths stepped forward to help residents, especially senior citizens, who were struggling to evacuate and save their belongings.

The Kampung Selabak Volunteers, comprising 12 youths aged between 21 and 31, banded together after witnessing the worsening flood in the village since Nov 26.

The group’s leader, Azril Iskandar Yunus, 31, said the group was formed spontaneously after realising that many residents, particularly the elderly, were unable to move essential items when water started entering their homes.

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“This is the first time we are experiencing a major flood. Many of the residents here are elderly, and some are not strong enough to save their belongings on their own. Because of that, I gathered my close friends to form this group and help the villagers,” he told Bernama when met in Kampung Selabak today.

The father of two said their main tasks include helping residents move household items and personal belongings to a safe place.

“We split into smaller teams and start helping out as early as 8 am until 6 pm to assist as many residents as possible,” said Azril, who works as a mechanic.

Meanwhile, another volunteer, Ku Arif Rizuan Ku Mohd Rizal, 21, said in their effort to help the villagers, the group remained alert to potential threats from venomous animals such as snakes.

The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam student said they used bamboo or wooden sticks to protect themselves from potential danger.

“We also wear safety jackets, even though the floodwaters in the area is only about 0.5 metres deep,” he said.

As of 4 pm today, a total of 5,501 victims from 1,665 families have been placed at 46 temporary relief centres in Perak, including in Hilir Perak, which recorded 1,391 victims from 439 families, with 11 relief centres opened since Nov 24.

-- BERNAMA