ROMPIN: Odd-job worker Saharidan Mat Jam could not contain his joy when collecting the Tabung Bencana (Disaster Relief Fund) NSTP-Media Prima cash voucher at the District and Land Office here today.
Finally, the 39-year-old father of six said he will be able to buy some much-needed school items, such as uniforms, shoes and stationary set, for his children which were ruined in the floods early this month.
He said since his single-storey home in Kampung Simpang Sepayang and Proton Iswara car were also damaged, he had to postpone the plan to buy the school items.
"The floods struck a day before the new school term began on Jan 2 and my children had no time to rescue their belongings. They were prepared for school but the floods damaged the items...the flood water rose quickly so we had to vacate the house.
"Since they decided to use their old school uniforms, they have been pestering me to get them some new stationary items.
"So today, thanks to the cash aid, I will be able to finally buy them the school items," he said.
Saharidan, who was among 185 families in the district to receive the RM200 voucher, said he was grateful that people continued to help flood victims even after the disaster had ended.
Meanwhile, Sharina Jantan from Batu 8 Orang Asli settlement here thanked Media Prima-NSTP Volunteer Brigade for the aid, saying that it would help eased her financial burden.
The 40-year-old said she would use the voucher to purchase additional grocery items for her family of seven.
"I can spend more on grocery items this week and prepare some good meal for my family.
"All the flood victims in Rompin would like to thank NSTP-Media Prima for the contribution," she said.
Meanwhile, NSTP corporate communications head Wan Abdillah Wan Nawi said the programme was part of the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to ease the burden and hardship faced by the flood victims.
"Last year, we went to assist flood victims in Kelantan, Penang and Terengganu. This year Pahang is our first destination.
"This time we decided to provide cash vouchers so that victims can decide for themselves on how to spend the money." he said.
Besides Rompin, 91 families who were affected by the floods in Endau near Mersing, Johor will also receive similar aid today.