LCM SOCIAL CONCERN COMMITTEE – DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM (SCC-DRT) The SCC-DRT was initiated in 2016 in response to the floods that inundated many parts of the Malay Peninsula in January 2015. Then many rural and urban areas like Kota Bharu, Penang, Tasek Temenggor, interior areas of Kelantan and the coastal areas Terengganu were affected.

The authorities were caught unprepared by the ferocious storms and heavy downpour displacing thousands of homes and families. NGOs and other uniform units and local councils swung into action to help in whatever way. Man has given their time and resources to help those affected. Our ministry area in Temenggor were badly affected by the rising waters of the dam and many orang asli homes were flooded out and damaged. Our church together with the LCM Orang Asli team extended help in partnership with local and overseas help to resettle some families to higher ground.

By mid-2015 the situation stabilized and many groups went into analyzing and review their operations. LCM has never been a part of such events before and it was an eye opener to the church in how we can as a witness for Christ be His hands and feet and not just by mouth. Thus with collaboration with ELCA we organised a seminar training for all FELCMS churches on how we as an entity can be prepared and help out in such disasters.The Disaster Preparedness Workshop was held in July 2016 and attended by 40 participants from our FELCMS churches. From this workshop was born SCC-DRT. 

Another refresher training was held November 2018 for those who attended the 2016 training and new people who were interested in the training came mostly from the KL/Selangor area. The training was jointly held with two local groups who are professionals in disaster handling.

The training was attended by about 20 participants. From this group we started a small committee too oversee the running of the team.

The main office bearers are: 

1. Bro Yogendran – Chairperson

2. Ps Kuan Poy Onn – SCC liaison/Secretary

3. Bro Thomas Lim – Treasurer & 4 other Committee members at-large 

At the training and discussions it was decided that based on what we can do at this moment of time is to provide support to various agencies and NGOs who are already well established in the area of disaster assistance.

The support will be in the form of a soup kitchen to provide food to affected victims and helpers at the start of a disaster. A soup kitchen van and related equipment is mooted for the long term but meanwhile we will do with volunteered transport and equipment.

SCC-DRT swung into action when news of the elephant rampage in Kampung Wah Lung, Tasek Temenggor happened on 14 May 2019. However for this occasion coordination was made to provide immediate food supply relief to the affected homes and families. 5 houses were destroyed during the rampage in this kampung which is an outreach point of Orang Asli ministry in the lake area. A fund was created to help in the relocation and reconstruction of the destroyed homes. This will be done in the second half of 2019 pending funds received from the appeal to LCM congregations.

ELCA again will be a partner in this project. Moving forward we hope to carry out more training in various LCM districts on Disaster Preparedness to equip our members on skills and know-hows. We pray that more members will volunteer for such service as a witness for Christ.