Kuala lumpur: Non-governmental organisations and local associations are encouraged to use KitaMatch.my, a disaster relief coordination application, to facilitate orderly sharing of information and aid distribution while preventing duplication during emergencies. Malaysian Humanitarian Action and Coordination Hub (MATCH) chairman Tunku Temenggong of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah said that greater participation by NGOs would strengthen the country’s disaster management ecosystem and help expedite responses in affected areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz emphasized that KitaMatch is a platform through which aid can be channeled, comprehensive information provided, and data on the needs of civil society organisations (CSOs) shared. This includes incidents such as landslides, floods, or pressing needs in villages, ensuring that everyone remains informed. She made these remarks during the Media Launch: Accelerating Disaster Preparedness in Malaysia’s Third Sector at the Malaysian Red Crescent headquarters.
Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, who also serves as the MRC national chairman, explained that the concept of KitaMatch emerged in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge the information gap between donors, NGOs, and the community, while also supporting government efforts, including those of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). She highlighted that the platform is part of the relief ecosystem during disasters, complementing government efforts by filling gaps rather than competing, and noted the support from Yayasan Hasanah.
According to Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, maintaining a data platform like KitaMatch requires continuous updates and training for NGOs to ensure optimal use of the application. She stressed the importance of funding for these updates and identified village heads and local associations as ideal users due to their understanding of their communities’ needs.
Meanwhile, MATCH head of operations Carrot Ho Chung Shin stated that the platform aids NGOs in avoiding duplication of aid and facilitates coordination between organisations. By entering information into the portal, NGOs can see what aid has already been provided to a village and identify any remaining needs, enabling more efficient responses.
Ho reported that since its launch in 2023, KitaMatch has recorded 366 projects and over 120 field needs assessments. MATCH has 60 registered NGOs and 130 active users, with the provided training ensuring accurate data entry to prevent aid duplication. He also noted that the centralised data helps donors evaluate the effectiveness of funded projects and supports disaster response efforts.