The combined efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Malaysia and the Center for Spiritual Advancement in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, brought about a webinar entitled “Pandemic and Emergency Management.”
Held on Saturday, 20th March, 2021 from 8:00pm to 9:00pm (GMT), the webinar was hosted by Dr. C.D. Siby, chairman of the Center for Spiritual Advancement (CSA). Distinguished speakers representing the Church were Royce Tai and Juli Cole.
The objective of the event was to inculcate preparation for uncertain times and unpredictable conditions that may occur without warning or within short notice. Preparation such as this is indeed a central touchpoint which teaches individual and families in local communities to be alert, prepared and ready for any given emergency situation.
Royce Tai presented his topic “If Ye Are Prepared.”
He spoke on the Church’s 72-hour Kit. Tai shared a real-life scenario as an example of readiness in times of the unexpected. Recalling an incident in February of 2010 when he was living in Hawaii with his family and their first newborn baby, Tai talked about a tsunami that struck the coast of the North Shore of the Island of Oahu. Before the disaster hit, a tsunami warning had been announced. Locals panicked and flocked the stores to buy supplies. Packed with anxious buyers, supermarket shelves were emptied in no time. Many were lucky to have purchased much essentials. Many were also very unfortunate to have very little to no emergency supplies to stock-up.
Tai shared the very difficult situation residents in the area had to face having to do last minute stocking up of emergency supplies. He then impressed upon the broadcast audience the importance to always be prepared and to have at hand a 72-hour kit.
He stated that this 72-hour kit is much needed when people have to evacuate themselves and their loved ones suddenly or instantly without a second thought when catastrophe strikes without warning.
The kit would consist of important personal and needed items. For example: food and water, personal supplies and medication, personal documents and money, fuel and light, mats and clothing, stationery, batteries and equipment, a whistle and miscellaneous items. These items can be placed in small bags, backpacks and kept in a secured and easily accessible place in the house.
“It was an honor to represent the Church in this webinar organized by the Center for Spiritual Advancement (CSA) to speak on this important topic, especially as we together with the rest of the world go through a pandemic,” Tai said.
“Working with the Church’s Malaysia Public Affairs committee and CSA was a delight,” he continued. “A lot of careful preparation were in place to make sure the event was well presented, and everyone who attended could take home something valuable. I am looking forward to be able to represent the Church in future collaboration projects with CSA to help bring more value to the local community as a whole.”
Juli Cole spoke on “Living Confidently: Utilizing Food Storage.”
She presented on food storage methods. Cole shared three types of food storage methods: short term (foods that would be eaten within 1 to 2 weeks); medium term (foods consumed on a rotation basis between 2 to 12 months); and long term (food reserves to be stored from 10 up to 30 years).
These methods ensure supply is available for individuals or families over short and long durations, alleviate hardships, financial stability and insecurity.
While maintaining a food storage supply, Cole reminded the broadcast audience to rotate the inventory and restock to avoid unnecessary wastage from expired or spoilt food. PETE bottles, vacuumed packed bags, sealed foil pouches, and oxygen absorber packets are highly recommended for food storing. These type of storing or packing items help eliminate food-borne insects, and preserve nutritional quality and taste.
Cole suggested weekly menus to help reduce wastage, and also to purchase food that is staple to one’s diet. Another important tip she shared was to create a budget plan and with that mentioned, it is advisable to spend prudently.
Another great idea she revealed was to know one’s refrigerator well. Knowing where the coldest part was, how the air circulates, and the proximity between meat, vegetables and other food items are necessary details to be aware of when it comes to food storage. As this helps to effectively organize space planning and the food placement in our refrigerator, and ensure separation among different types of food so as to maintain hygiene.
"It is a joy to share these principles of food storage I have learned are true from first-hand experience,” Cole stated. “I am grateful for the Lord's wisdom in giving us prophetic counsel of how to be prepared for unexpected events in our lives.”
Since March of 2020, many Malaysian individuals, families and communities experienced severe hardship as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters. They experienced distressing impact on livelihood. Those who were prepared would have been impacted to a lesser degree compared to others who were caught unawares.
Nonetheless, it is never too late for individuals, families, and even communities to begin their very own pandemic and emergency management program. Both Royce Tai and Juli Cole stand as exemplary members of the Church in their locality (along with many others in Malaysia) who practice this fundamental principle in their homes.
“The presentation by Juli Cole and Royce Tai was excellent,” Dr. C. D. Siby, chairman of the CSA said. “They shared their vast experiences in a short period of time and it was exceptional. The information received and the Q&A session was very much interactive and educative.”
The Church’s Malaysia Communication Council under the leadership of Letty Sim is appreciative of the mutual collaborative relationship with CSA. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Malaysia continues to support initiatives by the Center for Spiritual Advancement (an organization under the umbrella of Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship Malaysia and Pure Life Society Malaysia). Both groups are actively engaged to serve the Malaysian public.
Note: The Malaysian Communication Council acknowledges in-kind the material and broadcast contribution of Royce Tai, Juli Cole, and Dr. C.D. Siby for the use of this article. Information procured from each individual was summarized from the live webinar and from notes provided to the council for the purpose of publishing this article in the Church’s local or global media sites.