While most of us rejoiced over the fact that Christmas was only a few days away, locals from places like Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu must have thought otherwise. Throughout the middle of December 2014, rain poured down incessantly and caused the most catastrophic flood in decades in the East Coast. More than 160,000 locals were forced to flee their homes. They are forced to abandon their homes and head for higher grounds. The flood waters destroyed their beautiful homes in seconds, leaving them in despair. Roads were paralysed by the flood waters and electrical lines were faulty, making the locals inaccessible and unreachable. Food and clean water were scarce and most victims did not have food to eat. Victims were seen wafting through the deep flood waters in search of floating food items to feed their family. Even the children and elderly had to endure this merciless torment of starving for a few days until help arrived.
The troubles of these flood victims were far from over even though the flood water started to recede. These victims were exposed to diseases such as cholera. Despite that, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Help came immediately after the waters started to recede. Boxes and boxes of donated goods were delivered by boats to the affected areas. Kind Samaritans from all around the world gave their help and support to the victims. Volunteers of different races and ethnicities gave their all helping distressed victims. Many organisations like the Tzu Chi Foundation have offered to help collect goods to be donated to the flood victims from the nation. Doctors also volunteered to treat those affected in hopes to nurse them back to health.
In desperate times like this, we can truly see the beauty of our nation. I am truly overwhelmed by the support our nation is giving, both physically and mentally. Malaysians never hesitate to lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in need regardless of race and religion. We feel the pain our fellow friends in the East Coast are going through. Hopefully the donations will help to speed up the process for them to build back their homes. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in their shoes and I pray for their torments to be over soon.
