Thailand hit by worst floods in 50 years
Thai workers sandbag outskirts of Bangkok as flood waters threaten to inundate parts of city
12/10/2011 / EMERGENCY
World Vision Thailand says more than 2.3 million people have
been impacted by the worst floods in 50 years. The aid agency says
cities and industrial zones are underwater, rice fields have been
washed away and the government is struggling to manage the flow of
millions of cubic metres of water flowing south towards
Bangkok.
"We are deeply concerned by the impact of the disaster,
especially on the hundreds of thousands of children who have lost
their school clothes and supplies due to the floods," says World
Vision's National Director Chitra Thumborisuth.
"Houses are muddy and soiled with debris. Families need to
replace their basic household appliances and utensils not to
mention find a way of salvaging their livelihoods" she says.
Disaster zones
The Thai government has declared 30 of its 76 provinces as
"disaster areas" while Bangkok is among 12 provinces on high alert
for heavy rains and overflowing rivers. More than 260 people have
died so far due to the flooding which has been caused by tropical
storms and continuous downpours since the end of July.
The flooding has caused extensive damage to rice fields,
farmland and millions of livestock. Many provinces have been
cut-off. The estimated economic loss amounts to US$3 billion.
World Vision's response
"Our response is ultimately aimed at the well-being of children
within their immediate families and communities" says Chitra "We
are filling the gaps where the Thai government's comprehensive
response has not yet reached affected residents."
World Vision initially responded by distributing emergency food
and other relief items to some 4,500 people in four Area
Development Programmes (ADPs) in central and northern Thailand.
Three of the ADPs are locally funded with one supported by World
Vision Hong Kong.
The aid agency is currently doing rapid needs assessments in
several other ADPs, two of which are in Bangkok. Two-thousands
survival kits will be delivered to these ADPs by the end of the
week.
Once the floodwaters have receded, World Vision will support
families in the rehabilitation process. It will not only focus its
response on its programme areas but in flood zones where the need
is greatest.
Government action
Meanwhile, the Thai government has deployed more than 12,000
military and police personnel, boats, aircraft and mobile kitchens,
1.3 million emergency medical sets and food provisions to help the
country's floods victims. At least 200 temporary shelters,
accommodating more than 10,000 people, have been set up. Empty
buildings at the Don Mueang airport in Bangkok have been equipped
as a 24-hour flood relief operations centre.
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