By Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur News Groups
Batu Pahat, Yong Peng, Kota Tinggi and Segamat in Johor
On December 23, one team of Singapore and local fellow initiates went to distribute quilts, towels and blankets at the MCA relief center in Batu Pahat, which housed about 200 victims; the People’s Hall in Parit Sulong with about 900 victims; and two disaster relief centers in Sri Medan where there were about 500 victims. This team also visited a relief center in Yong Peng which accommodated about 800 victims. In Kota Tinggi, another group of fellow initiates also delivered 1000 loaves of bread and some biscuits to about 800 victims. As some victims had already gone home, staff workers of the relief center helped them to deliver the food to the needy. 
On the following day, one team went back again to some relief centers in Parit Sulong and Sri Medan, bringing with them very much needed items such as milk powder, sanitary items, diapers, biscuits and milk. Another team went to distribute drinking water and biscuits to some relief centers in Segamat, which housed about 1000 victims. Muar, in Johor
Tap water had been completely cut off in the whole Muar district for several days. Many houses were submerged in water. All the victims had been evacuated from their homes and temporarily placed in 88 relief centers throughout Muar. Most of the places in Muar were well under control with the set up of the shelters, food, drinking water and material aid coming from NGOs, the private sector and government bodies, except for the Kepong area with about 4000 victims. No supplies had reached there because outside communication had been cut off. At that time, they could only be reached by helicopter.
On December 23, we have provided some of the necessities required (e.g. biscuit, cereal and Milo drinks, instant noodles, blanket, drinking water) for the victims at Kepong. We also delivered 200 loaves of bread and 3 dozen jars of fruit jam to one relief center at Bukit Pasir which had 500 victims. The Muar Welfare Department expressed their appreciation for our relief work. On December 24, we assisted to load basic necessities from us, governmental bodies and other nongovernmental groups into military helicopters. The Alternative Living flyers in English, Malay and Chinese
were also handed out to the flood victims. Many read them attentively.
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Near the
end of year 2006, southern Malaysia was hit by heavy rains which caused
the worst flooding in a century, with tens of thousands of people
being displaced in the states of Johor, Malacca, Pahang and Negeri
Sembilan. Fellow initiates immediately went to bring relief to the
most affected areas.
On December
25, we delivered 3,600 liters of drinking water to 13 relief centers
in the Grisek and Bukit Gambir area. Everyone was grateful and touched
to receive the most needed water. They expressed their appreciation
to The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and praised
Master for Her love and compassion.
