FLOOD RELIEF EFFORT by Amateur Radio Operators

Amid news of a second wave of flooding in Johor, a group of Amateur Radio operators along which most are off-roaders put their effort and time together to bring relief ie. essential foodstuff and basic toiletries and necessities to the flood victims of Segamat areas and orang asli settlement. Word was put out to the amateur radio fraternity, friends and family and in no time at all, all forms of donated items from rice to school bags were collected.

On the eve of departure, news were received that road leading to targeted Kg Peta in Kahang was not passable to all traffic due to the incessant rain! It was reported that certain stretches of the off-road track leading to the village was under 10 feet of water! Nevertheless, a convoy of 16 4x4 vehicles gathered at a restaurant in TTDI early Saturday morning to load up the items donated by caring Malaysians.

The convoy made its way south entering Damansara toll plaza and exiting Tangkak via the NSE. Rangkaian Segar, the concession holder of the highway provided sponsorship of Touch n Go Electronic cash cards for the journey.

On reaching Segamat, we made distributions at Kg Batu Badak, Kg Pogoh 3, Kg Pogoh 2 and Kg Tungku 3. The only road to Kg Tungku 3 was inundated with about 0.5 meter of fast flowing floodwater. The convoy managed to cross without any incident. Here, we were greeted with smiling village folks and kids who were happy to see us. To close the day, the last village visited was Kg Sri Sekijang. We went in during night fall to provide the relief.

On second day, the convoy proceeded to Kg. Orang Asli Segamat Kecil traversing dirt roads, off road tracks, oil palm and rubber plantations and muddy trails, accessible only to 4x4 vehicles and motorcycles. This was due to the bridge along the normal access route being washed away. Most of the houses were in low-lying areas and were close to the Segamat River. This village was completely cut off from the mainstream.

We noted they were never short of smiles even when the villagers related the arduous conditions they had endured during the worst of the floods. We were deeply touched.

Many flood victims were still living in poverty and were less fortunate. Some had the ability to reconstruct their lives whilst some cannot afford. They were left to stare abysmally at what was left of their lives, belongings lost, houses wrecked, displaced without basic provisions and having to pick up the parts and pieces left behind by the receding waters.

We also noted houses were swept away leaving only the concrete foundations, trees were uprooted, roads with certain sections eroded and bridges also not spared by the forces of mother nature, personal belongings and household items and even lives was snatched by the power of the water.

The convoy made its way back safely to Kuala Lumpur the next day. We hope this relief effort had created some form of awareness amongst those not affected by the floods and raised their appreciation and understanding of the plight of the orang asli and also the less fortunate. We were humbled by what we saw and were happy that we could provide a little relief to the sufferings they were going through.

The group would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to whom without such, the event will not be successful

A big Thank you to the following:

1. Amatuer Radio Group whom assisted in the initiative
2. Rangkaian Segar for providing pre-loaded Touch & Go cards to the group
3. Restaurant Ali Baba in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail for usage of venue for collection & disembarkment
4. All friends and concerned members of the public whom in one way or another gave a lending hand and or made contribution in kind

from 9W2PO/9W2AFY
click on above link to view more photos courtesy of 9W2AFY