By Nurin Nazifa
GOMBAK, 24 December 2021: IIUM Student Union (IIUMSU) had initiated gathering of volunteers among students through the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to help the flood victims in response to a major disaster caused by recent heavy downpours in several states in Malaysia, Selangor being a major state affected.
CERT concentrates on volunteerism and first responder to assist any emergency cases in IIUM or any suitable location with the university authority’s agreement.
Besides, CERT is also in charge of assisting students and the ummah in the event of a calamity.
IIUMSU in its statement on Sunday (19 December) said: œThere are many locations affected by this flood. Therefore, we need your services to participate in the flood mission this time.”
The volunteering work by the students under CERT has started on Monday (20 December) and is still steadfast in sending humanitarian aid and assisting with cleaning efforts throughout several affected areas.
IIUMSU President, Muhammad Darwisy Roslan in his Twitter message said that the union is compiling all students-oriented flood relief initiatives deployed to flood areas, especially those involving IIUM students.
As of Tuesday (21 December), the data collected by IIUMSU shows:
- 70 students deployed to Shah Alam & Klang under CERT IIUM
- 700 students deployed to 5 affected areas under Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam Se-Malaysia (GAMIS)
- 160 students deployed to Ulu Langat under IIUM Congress
œIt’s a call to our whole nation that we should work on any kind of recovery for our nation, together. Especially the community of higher education. Let’s advocate the real meaning of humanising education, Muhammad Darwisy further said.
IIUMToday was able to get in touch with two of the volunteers who had contributed their time and efforts to help the flood victims.
Najwan Arief, a third year Political Science student shared his experience at the volunteering session: œWhen we entered the affected area, it was so bad; the road was so muddy, and there were no trees because most of them had been swept away by the flood. It was so hot, and the smell was quite strong even though we wore face masks.”
“Most of their houses were in total loss conditions, but they could still smile, make jokes with us and offered us some food even though they had nothing at that moment.
Their spirit to recover from this damage is huge, and they need all help as much as possible to continue their lives, he added.
Najwan further stated that students might not have the financial resources to donate, but instead have the energy and time to help the victims.
Another volunteer, Izzati Zakariah who is the Welfare Officer of IIUMSU, expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of those affected in the flood as she could not fathom how devastated the victims must have felt after losing their possessions.
œAlmost all of the equipment and furniture at their house were totally devastated and couldnt be used anymore, said Izzati.
œI’ve learned to appreciate everything I have. From that day onward, whenever I lose something and weep for it, I try to recall the great loss of our affected friends in the aftermath of the flood, she further stated.
Both Najwan and Izzati were among the earliest volunteers deployed to the affected areas to help the flood victims.
Prime Minister, Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had earlier said that managing flood disasters is not solely the responsibility of the federal government, as state governments and local authorities play an important role.
However, the Prime Minister claimed that the flood in Selangor was unforeseeable as compared to other states which experienced annual flood as a normal phenomenon such as Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang.
Through CERT IIUM Telegram channel, a waiting list has been created for students to fill in their names to volunteer in the upcoming scheduled days respectively.
An excuse letter from class sessions will also be issued for those involved in volunteering activities.
Students can access CERTs Telegram channel through this link: https://t.me/+lCEWnnF-8cI2MmI1
For more updates, students are encouraged to follow IIUMSU on their official Instagram and Twitter accounts.***