Getting timely aid to the needy

 

Giving the signal: A man waving a white flag from a flat in Puchong, Selangor, to ask for help with daily provisions. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The White Flag movement where people who need aid are encouraged to hang a white cloth outside their houses is gaining momentum.

The idea that was birthed online and gained traction on Twitter with the hashtag #BenderaPutih had united Malaysians in their mission to help fellow Malaysians struggling amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Various groups have stepped forward and responded with food for those who signalled for help.

Along with fresh helping hands are five long-established non-governmental organisations that have been actively aiding those in need.

The five –- MyKasih Foundation, Happy Bank Crew, Kembara Kitchen, Great Heart Charity Association and The Lost Food Project -– have ongoing food aid initiatives in an effort to tackle food security problems among the urban poor.

As such, they welcome contributions from the public and corporations.

MyKasih Foundation chairman and co-founder Tan Sri Dr Ngau Boon Keat said MyKasih’s “Love My Neighbourhood” programme had been running for the past 11 years handing out food to the B40 group.

“We pioneered an innovative and unique method of cashless food aid distribution through recipients’ MyKad.

“They can shop for essential food items at participating retailers, who are provided with specialised card terminals to read the MyKad.

“The B40 segment has also been severely affected by the pandemic.Many have lost their jobs and struggle daily to put food on the table.

“We have responded to various appeals for food aid, and given one-off assistance to more than 10,000 B40 families since the outbreak of the pandemic,” he said, adding that many corporate donors had since stepped up to support the cause.

Happy Bank Crew, which was set up in 2014, is a non-profit volunteer-based organisation providing food aid to impoverished families.

Its founder Ainie Haziqah said they engaged volunteer riders to send food to needy families.

She said they would help anyone who asked for it, which now included raising a white flag.

Kembara Kitchen coordinator Azren Harun said the Kembara food aid started during the Kelantan flood in 2015 where they supplied food to the victims.

“Now, we provide aid that includes cooked food, raw materials, dried food and other non-food items nationwide via our community centre which acts as a humanitarian hub.

“The white flag movement is one of the many channels for aid distribution.”

She said while Kembara Kitchen had its established network, the NGO would assist those who put up the white flag if the organisation was alerted to them.

Meanwhile, Great Heart Charity Association plays the role of being a bridge between contributors, volunteers and beneficiaries to help the needy.

As for the Lost Food Project, it is a local food bank aimed at rescuing food and non-food products surpluses to help its charity partners and B40 families living in People’s Housing Project flats.

Individuals and companies who wish to contribute can call the NGOs (see table) or email them. - Star