Loading of goods at the first stop, Pengalungan Kecil Salong Jetty.
A TOTAL of 76 families in Salinatan received emergency food supplies after several landslides hit Pensiangan in Sabah and cut off access.
The relief supplies were provided under FOL-Bomba Ops Salinatan, a joint humanitarian mission by Forces of Love (FOL), and the Fire and Rescue Depart-ment.
FOL had received a distress message from Atar Andipoh, the head of the four affected villages, which was relayed by SK Salinatan teacher Callister K. George.
The fire department’s deputy director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad thanked FOL for the swift action.
A total of 2.3 tonnes of dry essential food items and vegetables were transported from Keningau in 4x4 vehicles and then carried on a cargo boat from Kuala Salong Riverway to Pensiangan.
Then the supplies were reloaded onto smaller feeder boats before reaching the area and handed out to the families.
Among those involved in the operation were five FOL volunteers headed by Yeo Li Fung and two officers from the fire department.
Emergency food supplies delivered to SK Salinatan.
The food supplies were given to 12 families in Kampung Salinatan, Kampung Tulir (14), Kampung Bolar Baru (20), Kampung Kasumunsing (16) and staff − including teachers − of SK Salinatan (14).
FOL said in a statement, “On Sept 5, the only land access from Pensiangan to Salinatan was completely cut off after a series of 35 landslides in the area.
“The situation became even more dire as the main bridge used by vehicles was swept away.
“Our team of volunteers had to walk for hours and hand- carry the food supplies.”
It said villagers’ basic food supplies decreased critically a week after the landslides.
Grocery stores in Kampung Salinatan had also run out of food.
Atar expressed his gratitude to donors, FOL volunteers and the fire department.
