JPAM arranges resettlement of 2,105 villagers in Lahad Datu

Nur Ain Abdullah, a young resident of Tanjung Labian, a village adjacent to Kampung Tanduo where Malaysian troops stormed the camp of an armed Filipino group, tries to fill her bucket with water for her to take bath at an evacuation centre where she has been staying for nearly a week, in Embara Budi in Felda Sahabat, Sabah, March 8, 2013. – Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — The Sabah Civil Defence Department (JPAM) is coordinating and arranging the resettlement of 2,105 villagers from Kampung Labian and Tanjung Batu who were relocated following the intrusion of militant groups in Lahad Datu.

Residents of the two villages situated near Kampung Tanduo, which has become a fortress for the gunmen, were now put up in Dewan Embara Budi and Sekolah Kebangsaan Fajar Harapan, about 130 kilometres from Lahad Datu.

In a statement here today, JPAM said 1,215 people remained at Sekolah Kebangsaan Fajar Harapan and 890 others at Dewan Embara Budi until 1.41pm yesterday.

A total of 50 JPAM personnel and five officers were stationed at each location with the support of logistics including ambulance, three-tonne and five-tonne lorries as well as nine utility vehicles.

The Sabah JPAM has also taken initiatives and proactive measures to give emergency treatment and provide raw supplies and basic necessities to affected villagers, the statement added. – Bernama