Creating Humane and Sustainable Cities
April 2007
Banner photo: Lawrence Worcester/Getty Images
Flood Relief in Malaysia
In late December 2006, the southwestern part of Malaysia experienced its most extensive flooding in a hundred years. Water levels remained high for days.
On the first day of the floods, the Johor branch of Soka Gakai Malaysia (SGM) set up relief teams, which monitored conditions by contacting SGI members in the flooded areas by telephone, as roads were closed to traffic. In this way the teams were able to plan and carry out the effective delivery of water and relief supplies to flood victims. As well as delivering water and supplies, some 200 volunteers helped affected families clean and fix their houses. Many of those who joined the relief teams were themselves victims of the floods.
SGM donated RM 50,000 (approximately US$14,300) to 67 families that were among those who were most seriously affected.
In mid-January torrential rains renewed flooding, raising water levels as high as four meters in the city of Kota Tinggi. SGM members leased three motorboats to look for victims trapped in the water. They then set up an emergency relief center there to collect funds and food supplies. Some 1,000 flood victims were fed each day.
On January 30, SGM held a special cultural performance at their center in Johor, raising RM 33,000 for the victims.
