The Charity Of Christ Urges Us (2Cor 5:14)

Driven by mercy and compassion, Caritas Kota Kinabalu geared into action to reach out to the thousands of  victims of the flash flood that recently hit several kampungs in the district of Penampang and other  nearby locations like Putatan, Inanam, Manggatal and Telipok .

The flash flood on June 30 2024 which caused extensive property damage, displacement of residents and even loss of one life in Penampang, has been described as the worst flash flood in the district’s history.

Spearheaded by Caritas head Sr. Anita,fsic and Fr. Terans Thaddeus, its Spiritual Advisor,  groups of volunteers and NGOs were mobilized to embark on  a relief mission to at least ease the misery and pain of some of the affected families  regardless of  race and religion.

Relief centres for the flood victims were set up in various parishes  like Sacred Heart Inobong, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Kolopis and even in community halls in villages  like Koidupan, Nosoob, Penampang. For several days, cooked food was packed  and  distributed to families who have been greatly affected.  Assistance in various forms such as clothing, basic food items like rice, noodles, salt, sugar, canned food, mineral  water,  etc. were also received.

When flood  receded, stoves, kitchen utensils and  sleeping mattresses were among the things that were purchased by Caritas and distributed to families who were in dire need. Caritas also supplied several units of high pressure water jet pumps used for cleaning the houses of some families who requested help to remove residual thick mud and debris.

According to Sr. Anita, National Caritas composed of  the various dioceses  of East and west  Malaysia rendered  great financial assistance to  attend to the flood victims. Similar significant contributions were also received from  various  groups of  NGOs and other generous and individual donors.

It is significant to note that aside from rendering monetary assistance, various Dioceses like Penang, Melaka Johor, Keningau, Archdiocesan Office of Human Development Kuala Lumpur (AOHD), parishes like Bundu Tuhan, Kota Belud, Kinarut and  Penampang have even sent their Caritas members  to either help in the relief centres or to do some manual labour like cleaning muddy houses. Some volunteers were also from  the youth groups of the nearby parishes as well as from the other churches.

On behalf of Caritas Kota Kinabalu, Sr. Anita wishes to express  heartfelt gratitude to one  and all for their  generous contributions and unwavering support .Their assistance, be it in cash or kind,  emotional and social support together with expenditure of enormous time and energy, is truly appreciated. This has enabled the local Caritas to carry out its Mission much more effectively.  

A picture is worth a thousand words. So the appended photos give a much clearer picture of the stark reality of the situation.

Srbb,fsp

Photo credits from https://www.facebook.com/christina.david.5245

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=christina.david.5245&set=a.10161318839717999