Malaysian Red Crescent’s Northeast Monsoon Flood Response:
Reaching Thousands with Life-Saving Aid and Recovery Support

In late November 2024, Malaysia was struck by one of the worst flood disasters in recent years triggered by intense and prolonged rainfall brought by the Northeast Monsoon. The disaster escalated across nine states ; Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Melaka, and Perlis  affecting livelihoods, damaging homes and displacing tens of thousands.

On 29 November alone, three meteorological stations recorded record-breaking rainfall: Besut, Terengganu (566.1 mm), Pasir Puteh, Kelantan (476.3 mm) and Setiu, Terengganu (450.4 mm). By 2 December, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) reported over 137,000 people affected. This flooding was described by the Deputy Prime Minister as the worst since 2014. A total of 633 temporary evacuation centres were opened, hosting over 40,000 families. Tragically, six lives were lost in Kelantan and Terengganu.

Despite some improvement in weather conditions by 4 December, dangerously high river levels and the threat of another monsoon surge forecasted between 6–9 December continued to pose risks. In Kelantan, more than 43,000 individuals remained displaced with Pasir Mas and Tumpat being the hardest-hit. In Terengganu, over 14,000 evacuees were sheltered in 59 centres. Floodwaters severely disrupted infrastructure, cutting off access to many communities and delaying aid delivery, especially in remote areas like Rantau Panjang.

The agriculture sector also suffered massive losses. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) reported damages worth RM19 million (USD 4.2 million), including the loss of rice crops valued at nearly RM9 million, affecting over 760 farmers across more than 1,600 hectares. This came at a time when the national rice supply had already declined due to drought, exacerbating food security challenges.

MRCS’s Response: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Relief and Resilience

In response to this national emergency, the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) mobilised rapid emergency relief and resilience support across the most affected districts in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Direct Cash Assistance for Dignified Recovery

Recognising that every family’s needs are unique, MRCS implemented a targeted cash and voucher assistance programme to support recovery:

  • RM350 in direct cash aid per household
  • RM350 in cash vouchers for purchasing household and hygiene necessities
  • RM200 additional vouchers for families with school-going children under the “Back-to-School” initiative

Each household received up to RM700, with eligible families receiving RM900 in total. This initiative empowered communities to make informed choices in their recovery journey.

Community-Based Humanitarian Support

Beyond financial relief, MRCS provided essential support to increase community preparedness and resilience:

  • Large-scale community clean-up efforts to restore public facilities
  • Distribution of water filters and jerry cans to ensure clean water access
  • Water treatment training sessions for safer hygiene during emergencies

These efforts not only helped restore daily life but also equipped communities for future disasters.

Partners in Solidarity

This programme was made possible through the support of generous partners and donors. MRCS extends heartfelt appreciation to corporate contributors — Coway, IHH Healthcare, Daikin, and CIMB Bank — and international partners including the Canadian High Commission, Swiss Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Together, we provided over RM3 million in direct support to more than 3,000 families affected by the floods. All aid recipients were identified following thorough assessments in coordination with local authorities to ensure that support reached those most in need.

Nestlé Malaysia
IHH Healthcare
Coway
Daikin
QSR Brand
guardian Malaysia
Lotus
CHAGEE
LG Malaysia
Looking Ahead

As we continue to face the increasing impacts of climate change, MRCS remains committed to not only providing immediate humanitarian relief but also building the resilience of vulnerable communities. Our efforts are rooted in the principles of humanity, impartiality, and solidarity — ensuring no one is left behind.

Media Coverage

 

Digital News : 

  1. BSMM Kelantan Serah Lima Dapur Bergerak Mudahkan PPS Sedia Makananhttps://www.bernama.com/bm/id=2369600
  2. Kelantan MRC Contributes Five Mobile Kitchens To Facilitate PPS Prepare Foodhttps://www.bernama.com
  3. PBSM Kelantan Serah Sumbangan Dapur Bergerakhttps://harakahdaily.net/index.php/2024/12/01/
  4. Nestle Sumbang 5,000 Kotak Makanan Kepada Mangsa Banjirhttps://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/699755/
  5. BSMM Aktifkan Misi Bantuan Banjir Seluruh Negarahttps://berita.rtm.gov.my/bsmm-aktifkan-misi-bantuan-banjir-seluruh-negara
  6. Floods: MRCS Deploy Over 400 Volunteers in 150 Relief Centres Nationwide –                          https://www.bernama.com/misc/rss/news.php?id=2370307
  7. Nestle Hulur Sumbangan RM2 Juta Kepada Mangsa Banjirhttps://www.kosmo.com.my/2024/12/01/nestle-hulur-sumbangan-rm2-juta-kepada-mangsa-banjir/
  8. Floods: MRCs Deploys Over 400 Volunteers in 150 Relief Centres Nationwidehttps://thesun.my/malaysia-news/floods-mrcs-deploys-over-400-volunteers-in-150-relief-centres-nationwide-JG13371549
  9. Malaysian Red Crescent Deploys Over 400 Volunteers For FLood Relief, Activates Emergency Fund To Aid Victimshttps://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/12/03/
  10. 5000 Boxes of Food Aid Head East – https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/12/04/5000-boxes-of-food-aid-head-east
  11. Helping Hands In Crisis: Volunteerism For Flood Recovery – https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1W4xxRGMA9/?mibextid=KsPBc6
  12. BSMM Seru Lebih Ramai Wanita Jadi Sukarelawan – https://www.bernama.com/misc/rss/news.php?id=2372524
  13. Banjir, Bantuan Aspek Kesihatan Fokus BSMM – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZprTf5Jg30
  14. Banjir, Peranan BSMM Dalam Meningkatkan Dayatahan Komuniti – https://youtu.be/qFnywCyX6PU?feature=shared
  15. BSMM Seru Lebih Ramai Wanita Jadi Sukarelawan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riCaOFQkooI
  16. Guardian Malaysia, Malaysian Red Crescent donate to flood relief efforts – https://thesun.my/spotlight/guardian-mrcs-AH13413146
  17. AS Salur RM442,817 Bantuan Untuk Mangsa Banjir di Malaysia – https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/salur-rm442817-bantuan-untuk-mangsa-banjir-di-malaysia-500370
  18. LG Malaysia Menyumbang RM100K Kepada Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia Untuk Bantuan Banjir – https://siakapkeli.my/2024/12/12/lg-malaysia-menyumbang-rm100k-kepada-persatuan-bulan-sabit-merah-malaysia-untuk-bantuan-banjir/
  19. Tunku Temenggong Kedah Urges Flood Preparedness as Climate Risks Mount – https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1148266/tunku-temenggong-kedah-urges-flood-preparedness-climate-risks-mount
  20. Red Crescent Distributes Flood Aid to Over 6000 Families Nationwide – https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/18/red-crescent-distributes-flood-aid-to-over-6000-families-nationwide
  21. BSMM Agih Sumbangan Lebih 6,000 Keluarga Terjejas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LAjRQWsfIE
  22. CRSM teams up with Red Crescent to deliver 1,900 boxes of aid to flood-sticken areas – https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/18/crsm-teams-up-with-red-crescent-to-deliver-1900-boxes-of-aid-to-flood-stricken-areas
  23. Add Hope KFC Malaysia salur RM100,000 untuk mangsa banjir – https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2024/12/1167521/add-hope-kfc-malaysia-salur-rm100000-untuk-mangsa-banjir
  24. Daikin Malaysia Donates RM150,000 to Flood Victims – https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/12/1151889/daikin-malaysia-donates-rm150000-flood-victims
  25. IHH Healthcare Donates RM1 Million For Flood Relief Efforts – https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2375570
  26. Lotus’s Malaysia Further Donates Aid Worth RM100,000 to Help Flood Victims – https://www.bernama.com/en/region/news.php?id=2376432
  27. IHH Healthcare Backs Flood Relief for 3000 Families – https://cj.my/151332/ihh-healthcare-backs-flood-relief-for-3000-families/