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World Vision World Wide Shares the Responsibility in Aftershock Tsunami
Story: Somluck Khamsaen
World Vision Foundation of Thailand is a child-focused organization that gives humanitarian aid to disaster victims. World Vision has 90 offices globally that work together to respond to the challenges of helping the affected ones. For over 32 years, the emergency relief, rehabilitation and quality life development are one of WVFT's 6 vital ministries that spare no effort and resources in meeting the needs of the victims. On 26 December 2004, the day when one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history struck the coastal provinces of Thailand, WVFT mobilized relief effort and resources with World Vision globally. Funds, personnel and equipment were rushed in to help the tsunami-affected survivors. An emergency relief and rehabilitation project has been set up for a period of 1-5 years. A spending budget of 12 million US Dollars is allocated for the 1 st year to help 326,272 people. From 26 December 2004 to 31 December 2006, special focus is given in the following 4 main pillars of assistance:
The 1 st stage is Emergency Response. WVFT distributed food, drinking water, powdered milk for small children, ready-made milk, clothing, medicine, cooking utensils, bedding, essential items in survival kits, such as soap, toothpaste and jerry cans. WVFT also deployed a mobile clinic into several communities to treat the injured, repaired houses that were badly damaged, set up makeshift tents, built temporary shelters, cleaned up the environment in the communities, gave out toys to the children, built children's playgrounds with play things, organized games and diversions, counseling and sent teams of professional counselors to help traumatized victims.
Social/Community Recovery . WVFT is working in child protection, child labor, child trafficking, 9,745 affected children and supporting communities to care for the orphans. Several adjustments have been made to the pre-school development centers in 6 areas. WVFT built such centers in another 10 areas, distributed scouts uniforms, books and school supplies to 1,200 students, provided a health care center, ensured children have nutrition in 2 areas, prevented the spread of AIDS and family violence, cared for the elderly, restored the environment in the community and safety in life.
Economic Development. WVFT helps to restore the livelihood of 620 families, set up a skills training center to have an option in earning a living for the unemployed, provide revolving funds to those who wish to set up a small-scale business, restore the agriculture and fishing industry.
Infrastructure Rehabilitation. WVFT is helping to construct 190 permanent houses, skills training centers, learning centers, libraries for 3 schools in Khao Lak and a school in Khok Lanta, Krabi, provide clean water resources for permanent use in 7-8 locations, community health care and a mobile clinic. WVFT also helps to make some changes in the basic education structure, communications and transportation. It is paving the way for future community development according to the guidelines set up by WVFT.
The tsunami catastrophe has wreaked havoc and destruction in the lives of many people. WVFT has given hope to a young child.
During the 1 st week of the tsunami disaster, WVFT wasted no time in distributing food, drinking water, clothing and school uniforms to the Muslim communities in Ban Nai Rai, Moo 7, Na Teu sub-district, Tai Muang district, Phangnga province. Temporary shelters and houses and safe drinking water are also provided to110 homeless families. In addition to the basic daily needs of adults and children, which WVFT provides, means of livelihood are also given to the people to enable them to start a new beginning again.
Mrs. Wandee Jiradom, a mother of 3 children expresses her happiness in receiving help, “Thank you for every agency and WVFT for coming in and giving us aid. I'm very glad that my children don't lack their milk. I can endure any hardship, but I pity my children who are still young. Life is hard and there aren't many people who think of small children.”
Mrs. Wandee and her husband were able to escape death from the tsunami, but all their possessions, which they had toiled for over 10 years were swept away by the waves, including their newly built house. The name WVFT is clearly imprinted in her mind because the organization has provided her family with the basic necessities. As soon as WVFT learned of her needs for a boiling water pot, powdered milk for small children and diapers, they were immediately provided for her. WVFT also distributed fresh food as part of their daily meals, rice, canned food, drinking water, cooking utensils, bedding. Her elder daughter received a set of school uniforms and a bag. This immediate assistance has made Mrs. Wandee feel a lot better. The family is now able to live separately from the crowded tents and this gives them some privacy to talk.
Psychological support for the emotionally wounded
In the first week of the tsunami disaster, WVFT staff provided emergency supplies, such as food, drinking water, medical treatment and shelters to the victims according to WVFT's relief effort for the first month. In addition to the physical needs, WVFT is also considering about the traumatized children and widows. A team of staff has been sent out to lend emotional support and counseling to these wounded people through creative diversions and activities for children and families in 4 affected southern provinces.
A dream fulfilled for orphans and widows
Since 8 January 2005, WVFT has constructed 100 housing units, 14 toilets, muli- purpose centers, electricity systems and supported in motorcycle repairs and repaired home electrical appliances. WVFT supplies materials and equipment, remuneration for the workers, food and other necessary expenses for the construction of new houses, the surrounding area of Ban Nam Khem School. Songkhla Technology Institute furnishes teachers and students labor. The 5 teachers will take turns to help construct the houses and repair motorcycles and home electrical home appliances for the villagers. Some are volunteers from the area itself. Some of the construction workers are parents of sponsored children from Chienyai district, Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Mr. Nikorn Dusukaew, assistant to the administrative director of Songkhla Technology Institute expresses his happiness in joining the work, “I'm glad that I can come and help those who are in trouble. All the students have given themselves wholeheartedly to the work even though food was initially scarce. However, after WVFT hired a cook to prepare our meals, every worker has enough to eat.”
Songkla Technology Institute wanted to open a motorcycle repair shop, but it never got started until WVFT coordinated with a vocational training college. Mr. Nikorn shares his views on working together, “WVFT has a good working system and it attempts to seek practical, sustainable solutions to every problem. Any development work should be carried out with much careful thought and planning. As a result, WVFT is able to act with expediency in any given catastrophe.”
Mr. Vieng Buamuang, 48, father of a sponsored child in Chienyai district joined with others in constructing new houses for the survivors. He says, “This is my 2 nd time in coming here. I feel sorry for the people and I wanted to help. The 1 st time I came for 8 days and I went back home to harvest rice. When I learned that WVFT was mobilizing some workers, I decided to return here. I wish to thank WVFT for helping with my son's education for 2 years already. Many families have received much relief aid from the organization.”
In the 1 st week of January 2005, a row of 80 new houses was ready to receive the residents from their crowded tents in the premises of Bang Muang sub-district administrative organization. The Hong family is one of the families in Ban Nam Khem who has moved into their new home for over a month already. Everyone is happy, relaxed and has a smile on their faces.
Mrs. Buakao Boodrad, Hong's mother voices her feelings, “I'm so glad to have a home to live in now. If WVFT didn't come to help, I wouldn't know what to do. We haven't got anything left. Thank you for reaching out and helping us.” The construction of temporary shelters is set for 802 units. Since January 2005, families in the 4 provinces have moved in and settled in their new homes.
Revitalize the former livelihood of fishermen
WVFT is helping to restore the old-time livelihood of fishermen by providing them with materials and equipment to build bamboo traps for crab. A group of 22 families set up a project called “Bamboo traps for crab.” Mr. Somchai Hamtanon described how he received materials to make a net, such as strands of wire and knife for cutting the net. Each family has received 60 sets of the materials at 4,200 Baht. They are able to earn 200-300 Baht a day during the pending period of waiting to go out into the sea with their boat.
Mrs. Sutisa Ponkan, mother of a 5-year-old girl and a member of the group states, “I'm glad to live in the house that WVFT helped to build. I don't have to sleep in the humid tent any more. WVFT has provided us with the basic necessities and I've strength of heart to persevere. Thank you very much.”
WVFT delivered fishing equipment to 22 families in Phuket.
Mr. Somsak Mayi, 36, a fisherman in Ban Bang Tao, Moo 3, Cheung Talay, Phuket said that it is only natural for him and his family to battle with life's hardships. “I wish to thank WVFT for providing me with a fishing net. At least it's enough to start with. I want to save up my money to send my children to school. I plan to stay around in Phuket for 5 years to fish and then I'll go back to my hometown in Songkhla.”
Mr. Somsak Hantalay, 39, a fisherman in Ban Laem Tukay, Muang district, Phuket received some materials to make a fishing net says with a smile and hope that one day he'll be able to go back into the sea with his boat again. “I'm so glad that WVFT has really come and help us. I don't know how many agencies have come in and helped, but now they've left. But WVFT has remained and continued to offer help. After I've finished fixing my net, I'll definitely go out into the sea.”
WVFT wants to help these people who are filled with the power of hope to get back on their feet once again. The organization is getting ready to set up a child sponsorship program for over 5,000 orphans and affected children in 5 provinces to go to school. A survey will soon be underway to ensure proper assistance and it will not overlap with other agencies.
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