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KOTA KINABALU – The government has started using retort packaged food in temporary relief centres in Sabah for flood victims.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions), Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said food packaged via retort technology is an effective alternative to conventional food preparation methods.
While this method has been used in the peninsula, he said this is the first time it is being used for flood victims in Sabah and has garnered a positive response.
“Seeing that the implementation is at the initial stage, retort packaged food is limited and cannot be distributed to all relief centres.
“That is why we have been receiving reports of late food delivery in certain areas,” he said in a statement today after visiting a relief centre in SMK Tandek, Kota Marudu.
Retort packaging is made from a laminate of flexible plastic and metal foils.
Armizan said Sabah should adopt the retort packaged food programme and supply should be sourced domestically to avoid delays in transportation and distribution.
“This will be discussed with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, Community Welfare Department, the Sabah government and Sabah Social Welfare Department.”
Earlier, he said the National Disaster Control Centre under the National Disaster Management Agency reported that the northeast monsoon is expected to continue until March.
Six districts in Johor, Pahang (one), Terengganu (one) and Sabah (five) are affected.
Currently, there are 14,012 victims from 4,596 families staying in 73 temporary relief centres nationwide, excluding victims who did not move into the relief centres.
Sabah is the worst affected as of January 27, with 10,312 victims from 3,564 families in Paitan, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Telupid and Tawau being evacuated to relief centres.
From early October until January 27, 13,480 victims from 4,675 families have been moved to 70 temporary centres in Sabah. – The Vibes, January 28, 2023