GOOD intentions aren’t everything; proper coordination is essential, too. And for a lack of it, some residents of the Valencia Apartments in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, have been going hungry for the last two days.

Food brought by volunteers to the residents of the flood-stricken apartments is quickly taken by those living in the blocks at the front, as volunteers only drop off supplies at the entrance to the apartments.

Those living in the blocks at the back have missed out and did not get enough to eat, affected residents told The Malaysian Insight.

Azman Yusof, 51, said there is no proper coordination to inform the residents when fresh supplies arrived.

“When the cars arrive to distribute aid, the residents at the front blocks are able to obtain supplies quickly,” said Azman, who works as a mechanic.

“If we are lucky, by the time those of us living in blocks further away get there, there will be only three packs of rice or a few bottles of water left. And this is for the entire five blocks, which are located at the back.”

Muhammad Sharul, who has had the same experience, said his family has not had a proper meal in two days.

“My car is still not in running condition due to the flood and my belongings are mostly gone as well. It has been a tough week for my family and I,” said the 33-year-old, who has a family of four.

“We hope there will be groups that can allocate food for those of us living in the blocks at the back.”

Lorry driver Khairil Fitri, 47, said he has been so focused on post-flood cleaning his family has had no time to think about proper meals.

“We’ve been cleaning our place non-stop for the past couple of days, so it would be great if we could get some proper nutrition into our system,” said Khairil, who has two children.

“I can manage by eating whatever that remains from the food drop-off, but I’m more worried for my children.”

Yap Chun Wei, a volunteer who has been bringing supplies to the Valencia Apartments for the past week, said groups are only allowed to leave aid at the front of the premises.

The 19-year-old acknowledged that the arrangement has left residents living in the blocks at the back neglected.

“One female resident had extremely dry lips because she did not receive any water supply for almost 24 hours,” he said.

“There aren’t many volunteers who can go to the blocks at the back, and I don’t think they are aware of the situation there.”

Yap said there are 15 five-storey blocks at the Valencia Apartments.

“Residents who are not getting food supply are those living in the five to six blocks at the back, which could total 300 people,” he said.

Yap said he hoped more groups and volunteers are aware of the situation and help the affected residents.

Taman Sri Muda is one of the worst-affected areas by the floods last weekend, after nearly three days of continuous rain that began on December 17.

Hulu Langat and Klang were also among the hardest-hit areas in the Klang Valley.

Floods also occurred in Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Negri Sembilan.

As of Monday, the country’s death toll from the floods was 48. – December 29, 2021.