BERNAS CHANNELS AID TO OVER 6,000 FLOOD VICTIMS IN PERLIS, KELANTAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) has channelled various forms of assistance, including school preparation aid, food boxes and support for the repair of community infrastructure, to more than 6,000 recipients in Perlis and Kelantan affected by the major floods that recently struck the two states.

In a statement today, Bernas said the assistance was delivered through the Ikhlas Bernas Post-Flood Programme to rice farming communities, asnaf groups and B40 families in Simpang Empat, Perlis, as well as Cherang Ruku, Kelantan, as part of efforts to ease the burden on victims during the post-disaster recovery phase.

“As a strategic partner of the Government in the national padi and rice industry, Bernas remains committed to ensuring the welfare of padi farming communities is safeguarded, especially when facing challenges arising from natural disasters that affect their sources of income and livelihoods,” the statement said.

Bernas Northern Region Scheme Supply Unit senior manager Haslizan Hashim, in the same statement, said the initiative reflected the company’s continued commitment to assisting affected communities in preparing for life after the floods, particularly ahead of the new school session.

“This post-flood initiative reflects Bernas’ ongoing commitment to helping ease the burden of affected padi farming communities. It is hoped that this assistance will help alleviate the financial pressure faced by flood victims, especially families striving to rebuild their lives after the disaster,” he said.

He said priority was also given to families with children who were set to begin a new school session, so that they could start the year better prepared and with peace of mind.

According to Bernas, in addition to basic necessities, the company also contributed RM20,000 towards the repair of community infrastructure in Kelantan, including repair works at Masjid At-Taqwa in Cherang Ruku, Pasir Puteh, in collaboration with the Islamic Economic Development Foundation (Yapeim).

“This effort aims to ensure the safety and comfort of worshippers, as well as to restore the role of the mosque as a local community centre in the post-disaster period,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Bernas said that as part of its long-term support for the national padi and rice sector, the company also contributed RM10 million annually to the Padi Crop Disaster Fund to assist farmers affected by floods and other unforeseen factors.

The statement added that in line with its role in ensuring national rice supply security, Bernas would continue to balance commercial needs with social responsibility by placing the welfare of padi farming communities as a priority, not only during disasters but as an ongoing commitment to ensure the sustainability of the national padi and rice industry.

-- BERNAMA