GEORGE TOWN: More than 1,000 residents of Flat Desa Bistari here have appealed for food aid for those affected by the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), which has since been extended until Dec 31.
Desa Bistari Residents Association chairman Md Yusry Md Yusoff said before the extension, they had received food aid from non-governmental organisations (NGO) and local leaders.
He, however, said it was not enough to be distributed to the more than 1,000 residents of the flat.
"We have distributed the food packs we received to residents of Block A and B such as senior citizens and single mothers.
"The extension of the EMCO also resulted in many people to lose their income, including food delivery workers."
Yesterday, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the EMCO would be extended at flats at Persiaran Paya Terubong in Relau and Flat Desa Bistari, Batu Uban, until Dec 31.
The EMCO affected some 12,300 people.
Of the total, some 10,000 people were from flats in Persiaran Paya Terubong and the remaining 2,300 from Flat Desa Bistari.
Md Yusry said at present residents there needed basic food supply such as rice, eggs, sardines, sugar and biscuits.
"Those most affected during the EMCO period are the senior citizens who are living alone as they are not familiar with using smartphones to place food orders.
"They are the ones most in need of the basic food aid until the EMCO ends," he said.
He added the residents welcomed food aid contributions from all concerned to help reduce their burden.