Malaysia

People walk past cars partially submerged in floodwaters in Shah Alam, Selangor, as Malaysia faces massive floods that have left at least 46 dead and more than 67,000 displaced.

Photo by Arif KARTONO / AFP)

Key Developments

Heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding across eight Malaysian states since December 17 had resulted in at least 46 deaths and displaced an estimated 67,000 people to approximately 430 official evacuation centers, with further rain anticipated in the coming days, as of late December, according to the Government of Malaysia (GoM). Flood-affected populations faced heightened transmission risks of communicable diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), particularly those sheltering in crowded evacuation centers. In addition, the floods damaged local water systems and transportation infrastructure, disrupting movement and livelihoods in densely populated areas of Selangor State and Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The GoM activated more than 66,000 emergency response personnel to assist with debris clearance, evacuation, and search-and-rescue efforts in flood-affected areas.

On December 28, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Michael Newbill declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods in Malaysia. In response, USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) provided $100,000 to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the provision of health care services—including primary health care and mental health interventions—for flood-affected households.