At 1:30 AM on April 19, a massive fire erupted in a water village located near Sandakan in Sabah, Malaysia. Because the community primarily consisted of connected wooden stilt houses, the flames rapidly spread from one home to the next. The fire raged through the night, only coming under control by morning. In the aftermath, over a thousand homes were reduced to ash, leaving more than 9,000 people suddenly displaced.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department reported immense challenges in fighting the blaze. The village's extremely narrow alleys prevented fire engines from reaching the core of the flames. Additionally, the fire occurred during low tide, making it impossible to pump seawater directly to extinguish the fire. Driven by strong winds, the disaster spanned a massive ten acres, completely destroying countless family homes.
Delivering immediate warmth
As news of the catastrophe spread, affected residents reached out to ask about the situation and request help. That afternoon, volunteers carefully made their way into the disaster zone, bypassing severe traffic congestion to assess the devastation. Many families escaped the inferno with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
When we reached the disaster area, we could still feel the heat radiating from the ground beneath our feet. Even the remaining walls were emitting hot air.
—Shoufen Huang (黃守芬), Tzu Chi Volunteer
As volunteers walked through the crowds, they listened to the residents to understand their most urgent necessities. By evening, numerous families were still waiting for local authorities to arrange further accommodations. Through these conversations, it became clear that basic daily necessities—particularly clothing—were the most critical need.
Acting on this assessment, Sandakan volunteers mobilized on April 21 to gather and sort second-hand clothing from local recycling stations. They efficiently packed and transported 350 bags of clothes to the disaster site, providing immediate relief to those who had lost their entire wardrobes. Beyond distributing goods, the team remained on the ground to offer emotional support and listen to the community, gathering important insights to plan long-term assistance.
LEFT: With local aid supplies currently sufficient, volunteers distribute bread to provide immediate sustenance. RIGHT: After learning that clothing was the urgent priority, volunteers quickly packed and distributed 350 bags of recycled clothes to help survivors through the emergency. | Photos provided by Tzu Chi Sandakan
Reaching the undocumented
While the local government has established tents to house the displaced and offered an emergency fund of 2,000 MYR (approx. 506 USD) to each affected household, a hidden crisis remains. The village chief estimates that around 1,200 households were impacted by the fire, yet only about 200 families have stepped forward to register for government aid.
The low registration rate reveals a deeper vulnerability within the community: many residents at the village are stateless or undocumented. Because they lack official identification, they do not qualify for government subsidies. Fearing their undocumented status might lead to further complications, many are afraid to register at all, leaving them entirely cut off from official safety nets.
Deeply concerned for these forgotten families, volunteers are actively exploring alternative ways to support them. By understanding their unique challenges, the team aims to find practical solutions and walk alongside all affected residents as they begin the difficult journey of rebuilding their lives.
The government sets up tents to shelter displaced survivors while volunteers continue to assess the situation to plan long-term assistance. | Photos provided by Tzu Chi Sandakan
Written by Yu-Zhen Pan (潘俞臻)
