Waqf Flood Evacuation Centre: New Recourse to Flood Victims in Malaysia

The flood phenomenon in Malaysia is considered a yearly event that most of the time hits the east coast area (Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang). It is also understood that when the floods happen, the government would spend a certain amount of money to cover damages and losses due floods. As the flood may affect society on the whole, we should think how to assist the flood victims and at the same time reduce the government expenses regarding the floods. This research therefore is conducted to investigate the effect of floods on society in terms of finances, health, source of income, and property. This research also observes the experience of the flood victims staying at the flood evacuation centre, and finally proposes a permanent flood evacuation centre base on the waqf principle. To achieve the stated objectives, a case study on two flood-prone areas, Tumpat and Pasir Puteh located in Kelantan, is conducted. Overall it is found that floods have affected the victims (villages) in terms of finances, health, sources of income as well as properties where some of them have to borrow money from relatives or friends to bear all the losses caused by floods. Besides that, asking about their experiences staying at the flood evacuation centre, the majority of the victims are satisfied with the food and other necessities prepared for them. Unfortunately, the bad experiences that they have had during their stay were basically in terms of cleanliness of the centres, Shariah issues that emerged because of the arrangement of the spaces, and also limited activities conducted for children or parents. This research thus suggests a permanent flood evacuation centre based on the waqf principle to enhance the existing management of flood evacuation centres. The proposed centre would cover both physical and spiritual aspects for the flood victims where appropriate activities or modules will be structured for the children as well as the parents to enhance their skills and increase their living standards in future. Interestingly, all the respondents accepted this suggestion positively and were happy with our proposal for establishing a permanent waqf flood evacuation centre. This research thus is significant in giving suggestions to the authority to build permanent flood evacuation centres using the waqf principle, which provides avenues to the villages (in a low-income group) to enhance their income and increase their standard of thinking and living.