The Salvation Army in Malaysia is responding after floods brought devastation in the east of the country. At least 21 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced in the worst flooding in decades.

Colonel Lyndon Buckingham (Territorial Commander, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar Territory) explains that although the flooding is in a part of the country where the Salvation Army does not currently operate, all efforts are being made to provide assistance, despite huge difficulties in reaching communities that have been completely isolated.

Major Tan Guat Hai, a Salvation Army team leader based in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is heading up the response, working in partnership with the government and other agencies.

"The most affected area," says Colonel Buckingham, "was Mentakab [where] we have been involved in bringing emergency supplies by boat to a small village entirely cut off by the floods and without food and water. We secured a small boat, arranged a truck, pulled together a team of volunteers and have delivered food." Further assessments are being carried out to determine how else The Salvation Army can help.

The colonel concludes: "The rain has stopped and flood waters are receding – and for this we are grateful."