Rapid Disaster Relief And Response By APU Community

SPEAPU & ASAPU represented APU community in delivering immediate donations to flood victim.

The threat of the pandemic did not stop the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) community, both students and staff, from responding rapidly to flood disaster relief.

Thousands of people were affected by the heavy rain that caused massive flooding, particularly those living in Klang, Shah Alam, and Hulu Langat, where floodwaters reached the second floor of houses, leaving families stranded on rooftops. 

Concerned students from Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPEAPU) and African Society (ASAPU) rallied together to arrange relief funds and flood relief assistance last year.

Last year's flood photos uploaded by Facebook users demonstrated how severe the flash floods were.

SPEAPU and ASAPU had raised RM4,100, which they used to purchase medical supplies, hygiene products, food aid (rice and cooking oil), clothing, and any other goods that may help with the situation.

The items were then packed with clothes and ready to be distributed and they even helped the food bank at Gurdwara Sahib, Petaling Jaya on 27 December 2021.

“This is the first time SPEAPU has organised and participated in such a relief initiative, and we are grateful that we were able to contribute RM4,100, which was used to purchase relief items such as hygiene and cleaning supplies, food, and sanitary necessities.

“The remaining funds donated to Society of Petroleum Engineers Kuala Lumpur (SPEKL), as a contribution from our chapter to their initiative to provide relief aid to members and community at large who are affected,” stated SPEAPU President Abdallah Ahamada El Badaoui.

APU volunteers are buying necessities and packaging goods to be donated to flood victims.

According to Abdallah Ahamada, SPEAPU is extremely grateful to SPEAPU Advisor Ts. Harvin Kaur Gurchran Singh and Petroleum Engineering Program Leader Ms Nur Ailie Sofyaiana Serasa for their active participation and for liaising with APU management to provide them with transportation as well as a university contribution.

“We learnt the importance of community service, teamwork, assisting one another, and working for a worthy cause is crucial regardless of one's background. Humanity comes first, and we should always be humble and give back to the community, especially during difficult times,” he concluded.

ASAPU and SPEAPU would like to thank all the generous donors, especially APU students and staff, who have shown support for this cause said ASAPU Vice-President Mohamed Noor Ahmed.

“Special thanks to the APU management for arranging transportation for both the volunteers and the donation items, ensuring that they arrived in safe hands,” he said, while adding that "During the activity, we learned a lot. From teamwork to inter-society collaboration, and lastly the spirit of family in times of difficulty.”