KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will build permanent evacuation centres in the flood-prone districts in the state to accommodate flood victims.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said he had asked the State Secretary Datuk Hashim Paijan to identify several suitable locations for the purpose.
“Every time floods hit, the victims will be evacuated to temporary relief centres, including school buildings. Having all those evacuees there can affect the school building structure as not all were built with brick and cement. Some were built with wood,” he told reporters after the introduction of Sabah football team players and their new jerseys for the 2019 season, here today.
The chief minister said the setting up of the permanent centres was vital due to the uncertain and unpredictable weather conditions.
As such, he said preparations to have permanent evacuation centres equipped with the necessary facilities should be done in view of the possible evacuation of more flood victims in the future.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie said the State Disaster Management Committee had been mobilised to monitor the flood situations in several districts in the state including Kota Marudu where over 2,000 villagers had been evacuated to 12 relief centres.
He said he had also instructed all elected representatives of the constituencies involved to also monitor the situation, especially in terms of safety, medical assistance and food supply for the victims. – Bernama
