By Olivia Miwil - October 9, 2020 @ 12:13pm
SEMPORNA: Together with frontliners, members of the community here have decided to join the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, which has hit the district badly.
Housewives, restaurateurs, tourism players and non-governmental organisations here are working hand-in-hand to extend assistance to affected residents by providing food, accommodation, transportation and disinfection services.
The community, working under the name "Semporna Heroes", was formed to coordinate the distribution of goods and services around the district.
Volunteer Jamilah Ang said initially, the main objective was to assist hospital workers, especially those coming from outside the district and from other states.
"Apart from hosting the medical personnel at our accommodations and renting out cars at a very low rate, my staff are also volunteering to help with transporting stable patients to the hospital as some of the hospital drivers are also infected by the virus.
"There are also among us those who provide camping tents to the district hospital to be put up as waiting areas for Covid-19 sampling tests, and those seeking treatment for mild illnesses," said tour operator Ang, who is also Semporna Tourism Association chairperson.
She said the charity movement started even before the state election, as the community anticipated that the new wave of Covid-19 infection would hit the district badly.
"The situation is not favourable, anyone could be infected. Not only are the tourism players and hoteliers affected, but even restaurants are not open for business.
"There is no other way, but it has to be Semporna people helping Semporna people to end this tragic pandemic," Ang said, adding that they hope to revive the economy as soon as possible by getting the situation under control.
Ang added that the act of volunteerism in the district is "contagious" and when one person comes forward to help, there are more who follow suit.
Semporna Heroes has expanded its services to help the community, including single mothers affected by the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO), in terms of providing essential goods.
Due to the restricted movement order and precautions, the group is collaborating with government agencies and departments to distribute aid.
Semporna is among four red zones in the east coast under TEMCO starting from Sept 29, three days after the 16th state election.
To date, the gateway to the World's renowned Sipadan island, has registered 618 active cases and several deaths, including a-year-old infant.
As of yesterday, Sabah has 1,943 active cases with eight red zone districts and 22 deaths.
More information on the charity movement is available at the Semporna Heroes Facebook page.
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