Kuala Lumpur: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) need to obtain permission from the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) or the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) in order to resume their relief missions in flood affected areas.
The setting of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aim to prevent situations where too many NGOs go to flooded areas and can cause the spread of Covid-19 infection.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) Community and Social Development Division Director, Hussain Moh
(pic) said the application can be made online through Nadma’s official website as the respective state and district’s official websites.
He said the JPBN or JPDB would issue a letter of permission which can be used by NGOs to pass police roadblocks.
“The improvement on the SOP is important to ensure that NGOs do not only focus on one area, resulting in too many volunteers present in one area.
“In this regard, to monitor the needs, the JPBD and District Officers will determine the areas where NGOs can contribute and carry out other welfare activities,” he said in a statement, Sunday.
He said NGOs are encouraged to focus on aid activities in nearby areas or within the same state to reduce cross-border movements.
“The concern expressed by NGOs is very much appreciated. But their movement from the Red Zone for example worries the state population where the positive case of Covid-19 is much lower,” he said.
He said, for the need to make a Covid-19 screening or swab test depends on the respective JPBD requirements.
“Even so, movement to areas under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) is not allowed,” he said.
According to Hussain, the application for permission must come with information which includes activity dates, number of cars, etc, for missions organised by NGOs.
“Every piece of information is very important to ensure the safety and health of NGOs in situations that are increasingly critical.
“Compliance with other SOPs such as no group programmes or filming sessions as well as the need to maintain social distancing, the use of disinfectants and the use of face masks must also be complied with by NGOs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang branch MyFundAction Manager, Intan Najiha Akhmar Saharuddin, said NGOs must comply with the SOP set to ensure the safety and cleanliness of all parties.
“Safe distance from each other must be maintained at all times to carry out charitable activities so that no harmful things happen.
“Health is also always emphasized so that no Covid-19 infection occurs during the flood relief mission,” said Intan, Sunday.
Intan said, as a precaution, volunteers involved in the Pahang Flood 2.0 Mission that took place recently, is required to undergo Covid-19 screening test.
“Besides that, MyFundAction also does not encourage mass gatherings, while distribution activities to villages whose food supply is cut off is also limited from 9am to 6pm,” said Intan.
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