FLOOD RELIEF MISSION LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON UUM VOLUNTEERS

UUM ONLINE: The volunteers from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) who participated in the UUM@MoHE Relief Mission recently felt a sense of wistfulness as soon as they arrived at the location of the flood disaster in the state of Selangor.

Ms. Nur Anis Nadira Tarmizi, a semester 3 student in the Bachelor of Business Administration programme, said the aid mission this time was very heart-breaking when she saw the flood victims' badly damaged houses.

According to him, the three days she spent assisting flood victims, particularly in Shah Alam and Klang, left an indelible impact on her.

According to her, many houses in the affected area were engulfed in thick mud. Their belongings, including their vehicles, were also damaged.

UUM volunteers arrived in four buses, two vans, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle to help alleviate the victims' burden by first dividing tasks into groups.

"We helped flood victims in Taman Sri Muda, Taman Sri Puteri, and Kampung Tengah Puchong clean up their homes. In addition, UUM students whose homes were flooded were cleaned as well," said she, the Director of the UUM Volunteer Mission Programme.

According to Ms. Nur Anis, her participation in the flood missions in Klang and Shah Alam provided her with much-needed experience and lessons in the ways and means of assisting those in need. In fact, she became a shoulder to cry on for those affected by the flood, demonstrating indirectly that they are not alone and that there are people available to assist them.

Aside from cleaning the houses and affected areas, UUM volunteers also donated supplies to flood victims, including drinking water, food, baby diapers, towels, and other necessities.

Ms. Nazatul Amira Sa'aban, a semester 5 student in the Bachelor of Human Resources programme, was also saddened by the difficulties faced by flood victims in the state.

She stated that the presence of UUM volunteers provided a ray of hope to those who are still shaken by the event because it happened so quickly and unexpectedly, with the water rising so quickly that the victims were unable to prepare for the flood.

“Based on my participation in the flood relief mission, it is an unforgettable experience. I could feel the sadness and hardship that the flood victims were experiencing.

“The majority of the victims' property was severely damaged, including cars and electrical equipment. Aside from that, UUM students who were affected by floods had their learning equipment damaged, " said she who was the first to participate in the flood disaster mission.

She also stated that she would like to assist flood victims with a post-flood session that would require the strength and energy of volunteers.

Ms. Nur Hanisah Zahri, a Semester 3 student, was inspired to become a UUM volunteer in the flood disaster mission to Selangor after her house was flooded.

Ms. Nur Hanisah described herself as fortunate and grateful to be one of UUM's volunteers assisting flood victims.

According to her, the experience of her house being flooded, while not as severe as the victims' homes in Selangor, encouraged her to come forward to help.

When she saw the state of the flood victims at the time, the Bachelor of Accounting student was speechless. She could only pray for the victims to remain steadfast and strong in the face of Allah's test, because every cloud has a silver lining.

According to her, the flood mission had a significant impact not only on the flood victims, but also on the community, because it opened their eyes to the fact that the world is merely a loan and the hereafter is eternal.

During the mission, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Minister of Higher Education, and UUM volunteers cleaned the areas of Al-Falah Mosque, Taman Sri Muda, Section 25, and Al-Ehsan Mosque, Section 24 in Shah Alam.