IT was a real concern that the damage caused by the floods in 2014 and last year in the Peninsular Malaysia was more than RM1 billion.
It was the worst floods in decades, with 21 people killed and more than 230,000 evacuated. It is timely to propose a pre-flood business model for resource planning.
The model has six components: flood relief fund, wood block shelter, self-help group, green environmental protection, insurance scheme, and training and counselling centre.
FLOOD relief fund: Revenue for this fund can be collected from corporate companies, non-governmental organisations, individual donors and philanthropists. The fund should serve as a buffer stock during emergencies, and for immediate flood relief and rehabilitation measures. A model village in the east coast will carry out the field validation as a start-up for the experiment;
WOOD block shelter: The model village can have a shelter node for every 2km radius, especially in low-lying areas. The primary purpose is to provide shelter for those who have lost their homes during the floods. Consequently, the military operations in the flood-affected regions can pick up these people from the shelters.
The layout and structure of the shelters must be designed (half-closed and half-open concept) with the help of architects and engineers. However, for experimental purposes, a simpler shelter using logs with ladders on both sides can be built, which may cost less;
SELF-HELP group: A group of service-oriented people, led by team leader, must be trained by NGOs or government agencies to serve as a self-help group for the model village. Their responsibilities include monitoring and alerting people living in low-lying areas during bad weather conditions. The group will oversee the safety and security of flood victims, as well as their food, clothing and shelter;
GREEN environmental protection: In addition to loss of lives, the environment is also affected. An emergency squad equipped with the latest technology should be part of the green environmental protection team looking after infrastructure development. To ensure a secure model village, rivers and dams should be deepened in addition to having adequate slopes to channel the floodwaters.
Schemes for planting more trees may be encouraged. Within a 4km radius, a medical centre could be set up;
INSURANCE scheme: The proposed pre-flood business model has a provision for a personal insurance for flood victims. They can participate in the “one day one ringgit” scheme, which covers the medical claims and allied financial damage during floods. The payment can be made weekly or monthly at any Pos Malaysia branch; and,
TRAINING and counselling centre: Those living in low-lying areas have to prepare themselves for an ad-hoc lifestyle. A training and counselling centre could be set up in the model village to look into strategies to overcome hurdles during the floods.
The proposed pre-flood business model has feasible components as precautionary measures to safeguard people during unexpected floods. Due to global warming and changes in weather patterns, we all have a moral responsibility to take measures to alleviate the sufferings of victims.
JAYARAMAN K., Associate professor, Taylor’s Business School, Taylor’s University, Subang Jaya, Selangor
SANGEETHA RAMAN, B.Tech student, St Joseph’s College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, India