SIBU: The Welfare Office here has paid out RM24,648,740 in various welfare assistance to 9,305 recipients till now, its assistant director Mohd Guntor revealed.
Mohd Guntor said Sibu had the most number of recipients in Sarawak.
“These are the active ones and if those being processed are approved, the figure could breach 10,000,” he said when briefing Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim yesterday.
Mohd Guntor added that there were 20 fire cases in Sibu division from January till November this year, with the fire outbreak at Kampung Datu being the biggest.
From that figure, Sibu had 14 cases, Kanowit and Selangau had three each.
He disclosed the assistance rendered to the fire victims totalled RM843,412.
Mohd Guntor further pointed out they paid out RM3,125 in assistance for 22 drought cases.
The assistance made out for storm totaled RM9,429.
On flood preparations, he said Sibu district had 27 evacuation centres.
Kanowit had 13 while Selangau, six.
“As for forward bases, Selangau has three and Kanowit, six,” he disclosed.
He stated that the food comprised canned stuff, biscuit and so on were kept for six months while rice for three months.
Meanwhile, Rohani suggested more evacuation centres and forward bases be identified.