EAST Lancashire charity Al-Imdaad Foundation UK has sent teams to Malaysia to assist communities ravaged by recent flooding.

Teams from the international disaster relief organisation, which currently works in more than 65 countries, responded instantly once floods struck, by providing emergency relief to thousands of evacuees.

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Heavy seasonal rains and strong winds in December have affected most parts of Malaysia and are expected to continue well into this month to add to the already many problems.

The rains caused the most severe flooding in more than 50 years, battering the seven states in the East Coast and leaving communities under water and people homeless.

Rapid onset flash floods and landslides have destroyed houses, buildings, and communications and transportation networks.

And as a result thousands of people have been living without electricity, proper sanitation, food and water.

A total of 503 evacuation centres have been opened to offer aid.

However, many people are stuck in their communities, unable to reach the centres, as several areas are only accessible by helicopter, boat or heavy vehicles.

So far, the floods have claimed the lives of at least 21 people, and almost a quarter of a million people had been displaced since the floods first hit.

The charity is working in four states, including the worst-hit state of Kelantan, as well as the states of Terengganu, Perak, and Pahang.

The teams are providing essential items to flood victims, including hygiene kits, food parcels, medical first aid, and non-food items including blankets and mattresses.

A spokesman on the ground said: “More than 200,000 have been evacuated.

“We responded with hygiene packs, shelter, blankets, and medical aid.

“Around us we can see the houses have turned into ruins.

“Families are sitting and living in the ruins, with little children, these are their homes now, they’re all devastated.

“The children, the families have lost everything.

“It’s a very important lesson for us – one day you may have everything, but tomorrow you may lose everything.

“These residents were living comfortably and all of a sudden the floods have come and these people have no shelter, nowhere to live.

“The lesson we learn is to appreciate what we have.”