BINTULU: MERCY Malaysia, Sarawak Chapter succeeded in delivering aid to the Penan fire victims in Long Luar in the hinterland of Belaga District.

The MERCY Malaysia team, led by acting head of Sarawak Chapter Jennie Soh, included volunteers, namely, Martin Jandom from the Sarawak Forestry Department, Bybiana Michael from Socso Kuching, professional photographer Raffaello Wong Ling Cheang and Warziedea Ahmad and Ismail Hamdan from Waris & Co.

The fire victims, all Penan, were elated when they received rice donated by Coral Alliance Sdn Bhd and staff of CIMB. They are now homeless and relying on assistance from the government and donations from the public in Miri.

“The only hope for them is to rebuild their longhouse so that they can start anew. They are hoping for the government and timber companies to contribute building materials and help them rebuilt their longhouse before the arrival of the raining season.

“Some of fire victims are squatting at the nearest Penan longhouse at Long Singur.” said Soh after returning from the trip.

She said the journey from Sungei Asap to Long Luar took four hours by 4WD vehicle and another half an hour by boat to reach the site of the destroyed longhouse.

“We were not able to go to Long Kajang as planned because we would have to get permission through proper channel via the timber company and besides that, the journey would take us 11 hours from Sungei Asap,” said Soh.

The relief team had to hand over the aid to SAO Kuba Lucat and kept the supplies at a government Rest House.

Soh assured that MERCY Malaysia, Sarawak Chapter would return with mobile clinic to provide medical care to the fire victims and the residents of nearby longhouses.

She explained that being a nonprofit organisation, they depended solely on donations from the public.

She appealed to those who wish to contribute to contact her at jsohyankhoon@gmail.com or Elizabeth Wee at elizabethwee@mercy.org.my or phone/fax 085- 663000.