THAILAND: FLOODS 25 August 2006

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In Brief

This Bulletin is being issued for information only. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time. The Thai Red Cross is handling the whole operation at the moment as well as running several other ongoing programmes in the country.

For further information: • Thai Red Cross: Contact person: Lt. Gen. Amnat Barlee, M.D. Director of Relief and Community Health Bureau, Thai Red Cross Society, Phone: +66 2251 7853/ +66 2652 5076-9, Fax: +66 2252 7976 • Mr Michael Annear, Federation Regional Delegation Disaster Management Unit, , Phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 430, E-mail: [email protected] • Mr Bekele Geleta, Federation Head of Regional Delegation, Bangkok, Phone: +66 2661 8201 ext 100, Email: [email protected] • In Geneva: Gert Venghaus & Sabine Feuglet, Asia Pacific Department, Geneva, Email: [email protected] & [email protected]; phone +41 22 730 4258; fax 41 22 733 0395

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation’s Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation’s website at http://www.ifrc.org

The Situation Incessant rain over the past days has inundated provinces in northern with reports of two people killed and another missing. Nan and have been particularly hard hit. The flooding in Nan is the worst in more than 40 years. The districts of Tha Wang Pha, Maung, and Vieng Sa are submerged under floodwaters 1.20-1.80 metres deep. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department predicts heavy rain will continue. Four more districts in Nan province - Thung Chang, Bor Kral, Na Noi , and Na Mun - should be prepared for flash floods.

In Chiang Rai four schools in Doi Luang district are under water a metre deep. Schools are closed for an indefinite period. More than 5,000 villagers have been affected.

Red Cross Red Crescent response Since 22 August, the Relief and Community Health Bureau and Thai Red Cross Society through its provincial chapter have provided 3,000 relief kits in Tha Wang Pha, Maung and Vieng Sa districts. The items consisted of drinking water, canned foods, first aid kits, candles, plastic bags, household medicines and medicines for skin problems on feet.

Thailand flooding; Information Bulletin no. 01 2

Besides, eight Red Cross flat bottom boats have been evacuating people from Maung and Vieng Sa districts. Four Red Cross trucks and two four-wheel drive vehicles have transported food, clean and drinking water. The authorities say further emergency assistance is required. Efforts are in hand to supply this. They also warned of a further risk of flash floods and landslides. The government plans a long term solution of creating safety zones and reservoirs to tackle flooding in 25 river basins and lowland areas across the country. Meanwhile, the Thai government cabinet has been asked to approve a budget of 50 million baht (USD1.25 million) to help affected communities.

Information bulletin 01/2006 Issued 24 August 2006 FL-2006-000125-THA Thailand: Floods

Sittwe Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai Laos China Nan Vinh

Vientiane Myanmar Pegu Bassein Rangoon Moulmein Hue Da Nang Nakhon Sawan

Ubon Ratchathani Quang Ngai Thailand

Bangkok Qui Nhon

As a result of incessant rain over the last several IndiaIndia Cambodia days, provinces of the northern part of Thailand Da Lat have suffered severe flooding. Especially the flood Phnom Penh situation in Nan and Chiang Rai are still worrying. Vietnam Phan Thiet The current Nan flooding is the worst in more than My Tho 40 years. The hardest-hit areas were in Nan’s 3 Rach Gia Can Tho districts [Tha Wang Pha, Maung, Vieng Sa] which is now under floodwaters 1.20-1.80 metres deep.

In Chiang Rai flood situation is still worrying, more than 5,000 villagers have been affected by flooding.

Kota Baharu 050 100 200 Km IndonesiaIndonesia Malaysia The maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or National Societies concerning the legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Map data sources: ESRI, Federation