IDS MISSION TO DELIVER FLOOD RELIEF AID IN BEAUFORT DISTRICT
12 MARCH 2025
KOTA KINABALU (WEDNESDAY): The district of Beaufort has been severely affected by floods following the sudden overflow of the Padas River last Friday due to continuous heavy rainfall. In response to the crisis, the Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) (IDS) launched a humanitarian aid mission on 12 March 2025 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. The IDS D-Hub Team was led by IDS Chairman, Datuk Seri Panglima Hjh. Azizah binti DSP Mohd. Dun together with IDS Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul, who visited the affected areas and reached out to flood victims housed at two Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) – Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Dun Banir and Dewan Kebudayaan Bisaya Beaufort, sheltering 625 flood victims.
As part of the relief efforts, Datuk Seri Panglima Hjh. Azizah distributed ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, known as Hero-Meals, to those in need. Beyond providing essential sustenance, this initiative reflects IDS’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of affected communities. Drawing on her experiences as the former Member of Parliament for P.177 Beaufort, Datuk Seri Panglima Hjh. Azizah remains dedicated to supporting the local population, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance during this challenging time. IDS hopes that this aid will help ease the burden on flood victims and their families.
In a social media update shared on 10 March 2025, IDS Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ts. Dr. Ramzah Dambul, highlighted that according to global weather models used by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), the monsoon season is expected to subside by late March or early April. However, Sabah continues to experience heavy rainfall due to the Northeast Monsoon (MTL), increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying and riverine areas. The current wave of heavy rain is a result to monsoon activity rather than the La Niña phenomenon. While La Niña is forecasted to develop between late 2025 and mid-2026, its impact has yet to be felt in Sabah.
Recognising the urgent need for disaster preparedness, IDS has taken proactive steps to strengthen its emergency response capacity. Through its D-Hub initiative, IDS collaborates with 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across Sabah, including Kembara Kitchen, CIMB Foundation and Perwira. The IDS CSR team remains on high alert, systematically monitoring disaster situations and ensuring that aid reaches affected communities within 24 hours. These efforts not only facilitate efficient disaster relief but also contribute to building long-term community resilience against future natural disasters.
Among the flood victims who received assistance at the PPS were Nurashilah Athirah Samrah, Ag. Aziz bin Ag. Hassan, Mariam binti Karim, Salliah binti Awang, Zakaria @ Shawal bin Botui, Harmayani binti Haeri Wong, and Siila binti Ad Samat. IDS remains committed to working closely with various stakeholders to ensure the well-being and recovery of disaster victims.