Extend Earthquake Relief Aid to Guides and Affected Villagers – Dr. Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU - “As the search and rescue operations for the stranded climbers and victims continues and will eventually wind down, the Sabah government should expand and extend the relief aid to assistance to the families of the fallen guides as well as the volunteer guides who assisted in the rescue operations and villagers affected by the quake,” said Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, STAR Sabah Chief, while extending condolences of all Sabahans to the victims, their familes and affected villagers.

Despite the lack of coverage by the national media, the heroics of the guides and expressions of gratitude and appreciation by the stranded climbers that they rescued were extensively covered by international news networks in the USA and in the UK as well as local blogs and social media.

As other news filter in, other than the tragic loss of lives including several of the brave guides, there is post-quake trauma affecting some of the villagers shaken by the quake, continuing tremors and aftershocks.   Children even have difficulty sleeping and still traumatized. Even adults are traumatized.

The relevant authorities need to provide assistance to these affected families to deal with the post-quake trauma and not just relief aid in money or in kind.

There were reports that buildings and homes in more than 23 villages in Ranau were damaged in the earthquake.   There should be assistance by the Sabah government to help re-build these homes so that the affected villagers can continue with their daily life.

At the epicentre of the rescue efforts were the mountain guides and several of them have fallen.   The families of the fallen guides as well as the volunteer guides who risked their lives to assist bring down the stranded climbers, should be provided financial assistance. Most of them will be out of jobs as it will take some time before mountain climbing activities are resumed.

It is disappointing that the PM, who had opted to continue with his Saudi Arabia trip despite the quake, the DPM and the federal government had been slow in responding with any relief aid. It is even more disappointing if the federal government’s relief aid for other countries like Palestine, Nepal and others are taken in comparison to that for Sabah, Umno/BN’s fixed deposit colony.

In its hour of darkness, the light shown by all Sabahans of all races and religions in uniting and working together in their common cause have been encouraging to say the least. Hopefully, they will realize that outsiders not even the federal government and federal leaders from Malaya can be relied upon and it is up to them as Sabahans to look after themselves and their homeland, Sabah.

It is hoped that the Sabah government will take a cue from Sabahans at this moment in time and extend every assistance in every form to the families of the victims, the mountain guides and all affected villagers.

For those who wish to donate directly the guides and their families, they can do so via PERSATUAN MALIM GUNUNG KINABALU, RANAU, CIMB BANK BERHAD, Bank Account No. 8005609923 (Attn. Mr. Luke Kabun 013-8842095).