Kota Kinabalu: The Institute for Development Studies (IDS Sabah), through its Disaster Monitoring Hub (D-Hub) initiative, has mobilised a humanitarian aid mission to assist communities affected by floods in several districts in Sabah, including Paitan, Pitas, Sook, Beaufort, Membakut, Sipitang and Tenom.
To date, a total of 20,440 ready-to-eat meal packs, along with drinking water, have been successfully distributed to flood victims through coordination by field teams and collaboration with strategic partners.
For the latest phase, assistance was channelled to four districts: Beaufort (520 recipients), Membakut (520 recipients), Sipitang (520 recipients), and Tenom (600 recipients).
The distribution forms part of IDS’s continuous efforts to ensure aid reaches communities in need in an organised, fast and effective manner.
Previously, distributions were also carried out in several other districts including Keningau, Telupid, Pitas, Sook and Kota Marudu, in line with IDS’s commitment to expand its assistance network to affected areas.
The aid, known as “Hero Meals,” is part of IDS’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at ensuring the welfare and well-being of communities, especially during natural disasters.
The programme is implemented with strategic support from Kembara Kitchen as the food supplier and CIMB Foundation as the contributing partner helping to realise the humanitarian effort.
Through this collaboration, the ready-to-eat meal packs were distributed to flood victims at Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) and other affected areas to help ease their burden, particularly by ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare food.
IDS Sabah Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ts Ramzah Dambul said the D-Hub initiative not only functions as a disaster monitoring centre but also serves as a platform for coordinating aid responses in a more systematic and impactful manner.
“The effort aligns with IDS’s commitment to supporting social development and strengthening the well-being of the people of Sabah, particularly during emergency situations,” he said in a statement on Monday.
He thanked all partners and parties involved, directly or indirectly, in making the aid mission successful, and hoped more parties would come forward to work together in strengthening disaster preparedness in the future.
IDS also welcomes additional contributions from the public and corporate organisations in the form of basic necessities such as baby diapers, infant formula, and sanitary pads, which are urgently needed by flood victims, especially babies, children and women at temporary evacuation centres.
