COVID-19: New guideline for NGOs distributing aid

KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): The Social and Welfare Department has announced new guideline for NGOs distributing aid directly to the needy impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysikini reported today.

One of the rules under the fresh guidelines is that the NGOs must register themselves with the nearest state welfare department or district welfare office “a day before their intended distribution date” of their aid.

The department also stated that only “dry goods and cooked food are allowed to be distributed”.

Safety measures set by the National Security Council and the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 must also be followed such as temperature checks; wearing of face masks; wearing of gloves; hand sanitisers to be used; social distancing (one metre apart); and only two persons from one NGO are allowed to take part.

The NGOs doing the distribution will also be accompanied by Rela and army personnel, with “the overall process to be coordinated by the Social Welfare Department,” reported the news portal.

The new guideline came about after Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently called on NGOs to limit their movements and channel aide to their nearest Social Welfare Department office instead, rather than distribute directly to the vulnerable groups.

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