'Use white flag if you need food' movement gains traction

 

A movement appears to be gathering steam to urge people to display a white flag at their house if they struggle to put food on the table.

This is to signal to others that they have run out of food and are in need of immediate assistance.

It is not clear how the movement started or when, but more and more have been sharing variations of the same message since yesterday afternoon.

This is often accompanied by pleas to the people not to take any ‘drastic’ measures in face of hardship.

One of the earlier messages, posted by Twitter user @JawaJohor2 reads: “To those facing hardship and have no food, raise the white flag at your house, and let those around you help as much as they can.

“Don’t do anything that is detrimental of yourself and your family.

“There is no need to be ashamed. Just raise the white flag and hope people will come help.”

Kepada yang susah, tiada makanan, naikkan #benderaputih di rumah anda, biar orang sekeliling membantu setakat yang termampu. Jangan ambil tindakan yang merugikan diri sendiri dan keluarga.
Tidak perlu rasa malu
Hanya kibarkan kain putih
Semoga ada yang datang membantu. pic.twitter.com/OI57QhZtos

— Jawa Johor (@JawaJohor2) June 28, 2021

The white flag is a protective sign used under the laws of armed conflict to designate unarmed negotiators seeking to parlay, but is also often used to symbolise surrender.

As the message and its many variations and posters spread across social media, so did messages praising the initiative as a good way to seek help.

“People need food and water to stay alive, but there is still dignity not to go ask around.

“The white flag does not signify defeat, but is the last-ditch effort before collapse,” said the Twitter user @projekhitam.

Meanwhile, Twitter user @Ainabill98 said she had shed tears reading about people who have killed themselves in face of hardship, and added “Flying the white flag is an excellent alternative. I hope nearby folks are caring.”

The movement has also caught the eye of Amanah women’s chief Aiman Athirah Jundi, who welcomed the initiative.

“I wish to inform that we at Amanah, especially the women’s wing, are delighted to join in helping the campaign become a success.

“I urge Amanah members especially in the women’s wing to continue to be attentive to the people around us, and quickly provide the necessary assistance to any house that flies the white flag,” the senator said on Facebook.

 - Mkini