Malaysia, Thai authorities strengthen flood relief aid coordination
SONGKHLA: The Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla and the Thai authorities have agreed to establish a mechanism to facilitate the more efficient and effective distribution of flood relief aid to affected residents.
In Songkhla, Malaysia's Consulate General and Thai authorities have reached an agreement to streamline the process of delivering flood relief supplies to those in need. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of aid distribution, particularly in the event of severe flooding, similar to the major floods that affected Hat Yai last November.
Malaysia's Consul General, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, revealed that storage facilities for relief supplies have been identified in discussions between the consulate and the Songkhla Governor's Office, ensuring a more coordinated distribution of aid.
Upon the arrival of supplies from Malaysia, they will be promptly transferred to these designated warehouses, with the Thai authorities responsible for distributing the aid to those affected. In cases where the Thai authorities lack sufficient manpower for distribution, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Malaysia may also step in, guided by the Thai authorities.
This approach was implemented last year to address a previous weakness in the distribution system, where relief supplies arrived in Hat Yai, but their storage and distribution were unclear.
Additionally, the Consulate General is coordinating with Malaysian agencies to facilitate the easier channeling of aid from Thailand should floods occur in Malaysia's northern states. Last year, approximately 7,000 Malaysians were rescued during major floods in southern Thailand. Ahmad Fahmi also cautioned Malaysians planning travel to southern Thailand between this month and January to closely monitor weather updates.
If signs of danger arise, such as reports of dangerous water levels in the Sungai Golok or rivers in Hat Yai, Malaysians are advised to postpone their journey. The consulate plans to provide more frequent weather warnings from Thai authorities, disseminating them through their website and social media platforms like Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
