Quick answer: A flood relief centre, known in Malaysia as a PPS (pusat pemindahan sementara), is a temporary shelter that the Social Welfare Department (JKM) opens during floods. Check which centres are open on the JKM InfoBencana portal, register with JKM officers or through the MyIBJKM app, and bring documents, medicine, clothes and some food for a few days.
When the water rises and an evacuation order comes, many families are not sure where to go or what to bring. So this guide explains how to find a relief centre, how to register, what to pack and what to expect while you stay there.
What is a flood relief centre?
A PPS is a building that the authorities activate as temporary housing during a disaster. Usually, it is a school, community hall or mosque on higher ground. JKM handles victim registration at the centre, while other agencies help with safety, health and supplies.
The list of active centres changes with each flood. For example, a school that served as a centre last year may not open this year.
How to find an open flood relief centre
You can check open centres through several official channels:
- The JKM InfoBencana portal lists victim numbers by state and district, plus the centres that are open.
- The NADMA Disaster Portal shows the current disaster situation and relief centre locations.
- In addition, the MyIBJKM app shows centres that still have space, according to a Sinar Harian report from November 2024.
Village heads, penghulu and district officers also tell residents where to go. So follow their instructions if they direct you to a specific centre.
How to register at a relief centre
Every victim needs to register with JKM. In August 2024, JKM launched the MyIBJKM app. With it, victims can fill in their details before arriving, then scan a QR code at the centre instead of filling in a paper form.
Registration matters because aid depends on it. In November 2025, the NADMA Director-General said that official registration with JKM at a relief centre is the main requirement before heads of household receive Bantuan Wang Ihsan. However, victims who did not move to a centre can still receive the aid, as long as they register with JKM and in MyIBJKM.
Finding family members at a flood relief centre
The JKM InfoBencana portal has a search tool that shows whether a person is staying at a centre. If you still cannot find them, NADMA advises making a report at the nearest police station.
What to bring to a flood relief centre
The centre gives you shelter and basic supplies. However, every family has its own needs. For this reason, bring the emergency bag you packed earlier. You can find the full list in our flood emergency kit guide.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Documents | MyKad, children’s birth certificates, OKU card, copies in a waterproof bag |
| Health | A week of daily medicine, prescriptions, a small first aid kit |
| Clothing | Clothes for 2 to 3 days, slippers, a prayer mat, a thin blanket |
| Hygiene | Toothbrush, soap, towel, sanitary pads, diapers |
| Gear | Phone, power bank, cables, torchlight |
| Food | Bottled water, snacks, ready meals for special diets, baby milk |
For medicine and wound care items, also see our first aid kit checklist.
Staying at a relief centre: what to know
Watch children and elderly members
Centres are usually crowded and noisy. Therefore, NADMA urges parents to watch their children at all times. Pick one meeting spot inside the hall so children know where to go if they get lost.
Keep things clean
Many people share toilets and sleeping areas. So wash your hands often, put rubbish in the bins provided and tell health staff if anyone has a fever, diarrhoea or a cough.
Label your belongings
Write your family name on each bag and keep valuables in a small bag that stays with you. Then note down the number of the JKM officer on duty.
Food at a flood relief centre
Government agencies and volunteers send food supplies to relief centres. Still, the first few hours after you arrive can be busy. Family members with diabetes, allergies or babies may also need specific food. As a result, it helps to bring a little food of your own for the first day.
Ready meals to bring along
Retort pouch meals need no fridge and keep for 1 to 2 years before opening. Because you can eat them straight from the pack, they work well without a kitchen. The pouches are also light and do not break like glass jars.
MakanHubb dishes start from RM12.90 a pack. For example, keep a few packs in your emergency bag with a White Rice pouch so the family has its own food on day one. To learn more, read our guide to long lasting food.
Tips before you evacuate
- Leave early, especially if you have elderly members, patients or babies.
- Switch off the main power and lock the house if it is safe.
- Tell relatives which centre you are heading to.
- Never wade through fast water, even if it looks shallow.
For the full picture from the start of the rainy season, read our flood preparedness guide. Also, if you want to help victims at the centres, see our flood donation guide.
FAQ about the flood relief centre
Who runs the relief centres?
JKM handles registration and victim welfare at the centres, with support from other agencies under the disaster management committees.
How do I know which centre is open?
Check the JKM InfoBencana portal, the NADMA Disaster Portal or the MyIBJKM app. District officers and village heads also announce centre locations.
Do I need to bring my MyKad?
Yes, bring your MyKad and your family’s identity documents. They make registration and aid checks easier.
Can I get aid if I do not stay at a centre?
According to NADMA, victims who did not move to a centre can still receive Bantuan Wang Ihsan, as long as they register with JKM and in MyIBJKM.
Do they provide food at the centre?
Agencies and volunteers send food supplies. However, bring some food of your own, especially for babies and family members on special diets.
Still have questions?
WhatsApp the MakanHubb team at 012-540 0263. We reply during office hours, Monday to Friday.
