Having lost their homes and most of their possessions, many continue to stay at flood relief centres, reliant on donations of food, bedding and clothes to keep them going.
While NGOs, the government and kind-hearted individuals have rushed to raise funds and donate personal items to these relief centres, flood victims who are plus-size are still having trouble finding clothes that fit.
One group of six friends, who call themselves My Fat Squad, has rallied to find a solution for this segment of people by appealing to clothes retailers and individuals to donate plus-size clothing and innerwear.
Speaking to FMT about the dilemma many plus-size flood victims are facing, Kirath, a co-founder of My Fat Squad, said, “They remained in their dirty clothes and underwear as the clothes that were donated were too small.
“In addition, the stigma attached to women who wear tight or revealing clothes meant that even if there were clothes available, they refused to wear them if it was too tight because they would have felt uncomfortable.”
Thankfully, the response to My Fat Squad’s plus-size clothing donation drive has been overwhelming.
“We were specific with our instructions in terms of sizing because fat people are proportioned differently; it is amazing to see how people followed the instructions meticulously,” Kirath said, adding that the clothes donated were well-packed and in good condition.
Having said that, they are still looking for more clothing from sizes 4XL and up, especially since there are only a handful of stores in Malaysia that sell these.
“They still need clothes once they begin work and school post-floods,” she said of the flood victims, even relating her own experience of having to tailor-make her uniforms when in school since she could not buy anything off the rack.
My Fat Squad has also raised funds to purchase plus-size undergarments, in addition to those donated by Mis Claire, a plus-size boutique in the Klang Valley.
While on the subject of obesity, Kirath explained that there was an oversimplified and inaccurate belief that if plus-size people controlled their food intake and exercised more, they could maintain an “acceptable” weight.
The reality, she said, was that the causes of obesity are complex, nuanced and often beyond one’s control.
“That’s why we decided to do this – because we understand the struggle to have basic things like clothes,” she said about the reason behind the formation of My Fat Squad and the donation drive for plus-size clothes.
“We are currently focusing on the flood survivors in Pahang and we’re looking for people who can help to pack and deliver the clothes.”
Those who are interested in learning more about My Fat Squad are welcome to join their online community. “We want to focus on representation, share resources and also create more awareness on some of the struggles fat people go through.”
If you require plus-size clothing or wish to donate or volunteer, contact My Fat Squad via their Instagram account today.