Third Quarter Summary 2024

July - September 2024

1. Laos Missions

CREST has been engaged by LEC to assist a training program for native Bru tribe pastors in theology as there have been significant revival. The course consists of 10 modules over a period of time while the first module has been completed with 21 pastors. As it is known for them to be persecuted by the authorities, we are unable to share images of them and those involved for their safety. We would like to thank all our partners for their support and understanding.

2. Kelantan Disaster Mitigation

After carefully assessing the needs of the Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas communities, we decided that rafts would minimize the loss of properties during the calamity.

Our local partner Kelantan Disaster Risk Network KDRN and APM, was instrumental in setting the groundwork for assembling seven 12 foot by 12 foot raft prototypes. Materials were sourced locally and transported to the various villages. After our arrival, we assemble the rafts in Pasir Mas villages with the power tools.

Each raft will be shared among two to three families during floods. Valuable or electrical appliances will be placed on the raft and covered by a tarpaulin. The raft will then be anchored to a nearby tree or house beam at two places to limit movement.

Four stages of prototype assembly

1. Building the frame with C channel beams.

2. Harnessing the drums below the frame.

3. Setting nine wooden pallets on the frame.

4. Cement board reinforcement. Measures 12 feet by 12 feet.

Instructions for users

1. The stakeholder families were encouraged to be involved in the assembly.

2. Only electrical or valuable items are to be determined for placement.

3. Appliances to be placed when APM alerts rising waters.

4. Safe location of rafts away from fast-flowing currents.

5. Rafts are only meant for families in high-risk areas.

6. The families are responsible for the maintenance of the rafts.

Cost of raft components

The cost of each raft is approximately RM 1,448. In addition to the operational and logistics expenditure, the ballpark figure would be around RM 1,700.

Attached is the breakdown of each item used for the raft assembly.

Immediate plan

KDRN has identified four flood-prone areas around Rantau Panjang for our next phase. These villages are Gual Mesa, Gual Periok, Bakat, and Tersang. With the successful launch of the prototypes, we plan to build an additional 20 to 25 rafts between Oct 3-7, 2024.

3. Interview with UTAR Students on Humanitarian Works

Our organisation believes in engaging with potential humanitarian workers or students. It was refreshing to be interviewed by UTAR campus, Kampar students. We discussed humanitarian logistics challenges for their final year dissertation. These final year students belong to Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences under Faculty of Science. CREST wishes them the all the best in their future endeavours.

4. Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam

CREST sees this as an opportunity to build disaster resilient communities.. Flash floods and landslides are still happening due to the unabating rains. Thank you for your prayers for protection as we navigated the flooded areas and brought durable solutions with long term risk reduction measures.

Even though Typhoon Yagi tore through many countries from China to northern Myanmar, there is light at the end of every tunnel.

CREST with local partners helped to restore the agricultural areas to promote business continuity and thereby income generation for those affected. This village of three hundred residents is near Haiphong, Vietnam.

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Crisis Relief Services & Training Bhd

CIMB Account No: 800-8389-938