Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) is ready to offer counselling services and social support to Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission participants upon their return to their homeland, with these services also extended to their families. Its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, stated that any coordination involving the GSF mission participants outside the country would be conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure safety and aid procedures are managed effectively.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, counselling assistance is emphasized as a main service, particularly for those experiencing trauma, along with other necessary support. Nancy highlighted the need for collaboration with Wisma Putra for situations involving foreign countries, ensuring that guidance is provided to avoid threats to officers. This statement was made during her attendance at the National Welfare Foundation (YKN) Volunteerism and Community Care Programme at i-CATS University College.
Nancy further mentioned that her ministry, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), has been prepared in each region to provide appropriate assistance, such as trauma counselling and social referrals, to individuals and family members who are affected or in need. The GSF mission, which includes more than 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, aimed to show solidarity and break Israel's barriers by delivering essential supplies to the Palestinian population affected by ongoing attacks.
In the latest developments, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that 23 Malaysians involved in the GSF delegation, detained by Israel since Thursday, will be evacuated from Israel today via a special plane to Istanbul, Turkiye.
Nancy also commended the Local Social Support Centre (PSSS), under KPWKM and YKN, for being a cornerstone of community support since its inception in 2021. As of September, this year, 134,395 individuals had benefited from PSSS, addressing issues like stress, depression, anxiety, divorce, and financial burdens. The PSSS was recognized as the best project in the 2024 KPWKM Outcome Report, with high compliance and achievement rates.
In addition, the programme included the launch of the 'Friends of PSSS YKN: Caring Students' initiative, which offers students opportunities to volunteer and act as first responders at the community level. Nancy noted that this initiative aims to empower young people as agents of social change by fostering empathy, compassion, and societal responsibility.