sign in sign up
<<
Home , Krabi Province, Phang Nga Province, Phuket Province, Surat Thani Province, Takua Pa District

Daily Update on Disaster Relief

THAILAND 4 JANUARY 2005 9.00am

Death Injured Province Reported Missing Thais Foreigners Unknown Total Thais Foreigners Unknown Total

Phang 958 1,864 2,213 0 4,077 4,344 1,253 0 5,597 Nga 2,158 165 141 359 665 568 808 0 1,376

Phuket 677 154 105 3 262 591 520 0 1,111

Ranong 16 170 2 0 172 215 31 0 246

Trang 1 3 2 0 5 92 20 0 112

Satun 0 6 0 0 6 15 0 0 15

TOTAL 3,810 2,362 2,463 362 5,187 5,825 2,632 0 8,457

Figures obtained from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior (as of 6pm, 3-1-05)

¾ Counts on DEATH are based on the number of bodies recovered ¾ Counts on the INJURED are based on the number of people rescued and sent to hospitals, and this includes the number of people discharged from hospitals. ¾ Counts on MISSING are based on the number of people reported missing to the officials. ¾ NOTE: There are a number of bodies recovered but unidentified, which may overlap with the number of people reported missing.

Interior

• 745 soldiers, policemen and volunteers were mobilized to look for bodies in ’s Phi Phi Island. They were supported with 10 boats, 4 helicopters, and 43 items of heavy machines to remove the rubbles. • Provincial governors of the 6 affected provinces have been asked to organize a list with information on the local people affected and the extend of their loss

• The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPM), Ministry of Interior, which is the government’s main unit to compile death and injury toll reported 5,187 Deaths, 8,457 injured and 3,810 missing persons. (as of 6pm 3-1- 05). DPM functions as the government’s main coordinator for disaster relief.

• Disaster affected areas have been fenced (with thin ropes) in an attempt to prohibit people from entry. (3-1-05)

• 129 teams with 47,708 rescue workers and machineries have been mobilized to remove the destruction and look for bodies trapped under the destruction.(1-1-05)

1 • Many more bodies were found in yesterday (1-1-05). • 6 help centres have been set up IN PHANG NGA to provide assistance on temporary shelter, to some 1,054 people (5 centres in Takua Pa and 1 in Thai Muang District).(1-1-05) • In RANONG, 6 help centres have been sent up (2 in Kaper district, 4 in Suk Samran Subdistrict) to provide temporary shelter to 1,370 people. (1-1-05) • The DPM mobilized 1,189 coffins, 1,956 packages of cloth (for covering dead bodies), 576 body bags, and other equipments to deal with the large number of dead bodies. (1-1-05)

Public Health:

• The Bureau of Epidemiology (BoE), MOPH has attempted to survey people in tidal wave affected areas in 6 provinces , PHANG NGA, KRABI, RANONG SATUN, TRANG on diseases like acute diarrhoea, food poisoning, flu, etc. since 30- 12-05. Based on preliminary investigation, the cumulative figures as of 1-1-05 showed the following: SICK DEATHS DISEASE TOTAL THAI FOREIGNERS TOTAL THAI FOREIGNERS Acute 167 146 21 0 0 0 diarrhoea Food Poisoning 33 5 28 0 0 0 Flu 11 10 1 0 0 0 Pneumonia 20 16 4 1 1 0 Typhoid fever 1 1 0 0 0 0 Malaria 8 8 0 0 0 0 Fever with rash 1 1 0 0 0 0 DHF 7 6 1 0 0 0 PUO 27 26 1 0 0 0 Chicken pox 1 1 0 0 0 0 Hepititis 1 1 0 0 0 0 Viral 15 14 1 0 0 0 Poisoning in 7 6 1 0 0 0 animals Wound 163 128 35 0 0 0 infection Sepsis/Cellulitis 5 3 2 0 0 0 Unknown death 2 1 1 2 1 1 TOTAL 469 373 96 3 2 1 NOTE: Maximum survey was carried out in Phuket area, and parts of the people in Phang Nga, Krabi and Ranong. The survey was not intense in the 2 provinces which were not much affected by the tidal wave – Trang and Satun.

• Many people traumatized and have expressed unwillingness to return back to their villages. The MOPH Mental Health Team has been going down to meet different groups of people. (3-1-05).

• Dr Sriviang from Khon Kaen University expert on psychosocial care has coordinated with MOPH and mobilized counsellors, to provide counselling to the affected people. (1-1-05). • MOPH confirmed that all the injured who arrived hospitals survived, and at the moment, there is sufficient medical facilities. • The forensic investigation or the DNA testing may require WHO assistance (according to Dr Pornthip Rojanasunan, the focal point for forensic work), but it all has to be decided on by the government. • Health concerns and possible spread of diseases are beginning to be heard of. The MOPH (Ministry of Public Health) is working on issuing health warnings and information to the public, in order to try to minimize rumours. The MOPH

2 Epidemiology Bureau are closely monitoring the situation of possible disease spread in the tsunami stricken areas and are in daily contact with WHO(1-1-05) • Mental health officials have been mobilized to the South to provide counseling (30- 12-04) • Deputy Permanent Secretary Narongsakdi Aungsuvaphala heads the public health coordination in the South (Mobile: 09-9237002). • Public Health permanent secretary raised concerns on possible outbreak of diseases (related to skin infection, diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory system) due to destroyed water and sanitation systems, and bare hands exposure to corpse. • More forensic doctors sent from to the South to help identify bodies. • Thai Red Cross Society announces shortage of RH –ve blood. Had some 3,000 blood donors yesterday afternoon and today (as of 28-12-04 afternoon). • Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service Centre coordinates medical assistance between hospitals, army, other government bodies and non profit relief organizations. • 2 teams of doctors and nurses have been sent to the South (1st team of 90 staff at 3am, and 2nd team of 108 staff at 9am,(27-12-04) • Phuket provincial health office will function as the coordinating centre for public health and medical assistances to other Southern provinces – Phuket, Krabi, Phang-Nga, Trang, Satun and Ranong. • Dr Vichai Tienthavorn (Permanent Secretary) has asked the Department of Health, Department of Disease Control and Department of Medical Sciences to look into the sanitation situation, and the Mental Health Department will work on providing counselling in coordination with Dr.Sriviang and others .

International:

• WHO team met with Disease Control Department (DDC) Deputy Director General Narong Sahamethaphat and Bureau of Epidemiology Director Kumnuan Ungchusak at Bang Muang Health Centre in , Phang Nga to discuss about balance between the routine disease surveillance (like vector borne diseases, etc) and the focus on surveillance in the tidal wave affected areas. Teams have been mobilizeed from the Surveillance and Rapid Response Team (SRRT) to assist the Regional Disease Control Unit in doing the surveillance in affected populations.

• WHO team went to Phang Nga Province, Khao Lak District, Ban Nam Khem Village, which is almost the worst hit area where infrastructure destruction is concerned. Estimated population in the village is around 4,000 people (excluding unregistered immigrant Burmese workers). Villagers say roughly only 2,000 villagers are alive. All the houses in the fishing village has been destroyed. Villagers are being provided temporary shelter at tents in the District Office. Many people are still in panic and are looking for loved ones. Body searches continue in this village. (1-1-05)

• WHO team went to Wat Yan Yao temple (where the main forensic work is going on in Phang Nga province where major deaths have been reported. Met Dr Pornthip Rojanasunan, deputy director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science the focal point for handling the on ground forensic work. She said there was some confusion on the body mix-match numbers, etc. She also informed that there would be huge requirement for DNA testing, which may require external assistance (but the decision would have to be made at a higher level).

• In the last 2 days, UNDAC team went to Phuket Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang and Ranong. Met with the provincial authorities and the disaster management authorities. Need to have a clearer picture of the government’s national response as a whole. Noted need for improved coordination between operational ministries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s adhoc committee. (1-1-05)

• UNDAC team left for Phuket (29-12-04 @ 6pm). Team leader – Ms Merete Johannson (Geneva). with team members – Mr Robert Goodwin, Communications

3 Expert (Norway) (mobile: +47-95919677), Dr Jari Vainoi, medical doctor (Finland) ([email protected]; Mobile: +358-40-8362458), Ms Neryl Lewis, AusAid (Australia), Dr Teo Kwang Joo, medical doctor (). (Satellite phone no.: +873762356130; email: [email protected]) --- The mission is accompanied by UN Resident Coordinator, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO (Dr Pathom Sawanpanyalert (29-12- 04 to 1-1-05); Dr William Aldis, Ms Aphaluck Bhatiasevi (1-1-05 to 3-1-05)

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs held 2nd meeting with representatives of international agencies and embassies on 30-12-04 to discuss about concerns in handling disaster relief. Currently, there are problems in handling the large number of dead bodies. Many forensic doctors have been mobilized from within the country and abroad, but due to coordination gap, demand is high in certain areas like Phang Nga (many have been mobilized to Phuket).

• US CDC on ground focal point is Dr. Taweesap (Mobile: 09-8970074)

• Search and rescue teams; medical and forensic experts; food; medical supplies and helicopters are most needed for the next 48 hours in terms of humanitarian assistance. (28-12-04)

• A 24 hours coordinating centre for foreign nationals affected has been set up. The contact numbers are: Tel. (662) 643-5262, (662) 643-5000 ext. 5003 or 5502 Fax (662) 643-5256 (27-12-04)

(Co-directors of the centre: Mr. Itti Ditbanjong (Ambassador attached to the Ministry, mobile phone no. 01 809 9995) and Mr. Suthee Na Lumpang (Ambassador attached to the Ministry, Mobile phone no. 01 860 7320). Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, the Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs,is the Humanitarian Relief Coordinator (Tel: 02 643 5191 or Mobile phone no. 09 201 1105). (27-12-04)

• A special plane for 44 diplomats from 27 embassies ( Switzerland, , Kahzastan, Austria, Italy,Turkey, Norway, Spain, Finland, Slovak, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, UK, France, Germany, Canada, NZ, Ukrain, Czech, Japan, , Singapore, ROK, Kuwait and UAE ) was arranged to fly from Bangkok to Phuket at 10pm on 26 December 2004). Accommodation was set up for them at Dulwich International School in Phuket and they will today work closely with local Thai authorities and rescue workers to render assistance to their respective nationals. (27- 12-04)

Overall:

3-1-05

• Military people are beginning to clear up the rubbles destroyed in Beach (mostly private property) in . A few tourists have resumed to relax on the beach, amidst the clearing up work on the road right in front of the beach. • Residents in Patong Beach trying to clear out the rubbles from their shops and homes complaint that their property from the upper floors of the buildings has been robbed. • Clearing up of rubbles and construction work has begun in certain parts of Khao Lak Beach in Phang Nga Province. • Many people employed in hotels and restaurants in the disaster stricken areas have been queuing for initial 2,000 baht/person assistance at Phuket City Hall which houses the disaster management centre. • Many foreigners and Thais wait at the Phuket City Hall in anticipation for information missing people.

4

Media Reports

4-1-05 • Thailand has become the centre for distribution of US and international relief assistance for the whole Southeast Asian region, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is adamant about equipping the country with a tsunami early-warning system even if neighbouring countries decline to join in. (Bangkok Post, 4-1-05)

• The Thai government plans to set up a legal centre to provide assistance to victims of last Sunday's massive waves. “'The centre will coordinate with all agencies working in the affected provinces to help the victims. The justice ministry may also produce legal handbooks and documents for the victims' guidance,” the ministry top official, , told TNA. (Thai News Agency, 4-1-05)

• More than a week after massive struck Thailand's southern Andaman coast, friends and relatives continued to pour into Yan Yao temple in Phang-nga Province yesterday to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones.

3-1-05

• Ministry of Public Health has set aside 100 million bath to prevent and treat disease among tsunami affected people, said permanent secretary Vichai Tienthavorn. The MOPH has also mobilized medical people and supplies and that money was not an issue. (Thai News Agency, 3-1-05). • Tsunami survivors are suffering from stress, paranoia and depression requiring immediate psychological help to keep the possibility of suicide at bay, psychiatrists warned. The most serious cases were found in Phuket and Phang Nga, which bore the brunt of tsunami. About 5,000 medical and pyschological workers were sent to the ravaged areas. More than 2,000 of them were working in Phang Nga alone. Their task has been to treat the injured, prevent against the outbreak of diseases as well as calm grief-stricken survivors. (Bangkok Post, 3-1-05) • Search for bodies in Phang Nga, the country's worst-hit province, has entered the final stage and collection of bodies is expected to end on Wednesday, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti. Large-scale search operations in the devastated areas have ended, said the minister, who spoke in his capacity as chief of the Tsunami Disaster Relief Centre. Focus would be placed on the few remaining spots, including old mining holes in Ban Nam Khem and some mangrove forest areas in Takua Pa district, where a large number of victims were possibly trapped. After the operation ends on Wednesday, a special unit would be set up to coordinate with tidal wave victims who want rescuers to search for their relatives in particular spots, he said.(Bangkok Post, 3-1-05) • Official number of people missing has reduced as authorities draw up new information system, which has helped reduce duplication of counts on the missing. (Thai News Agency, 3-1-05). • Residents of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand's southern Krabi Province who survived last week's tsunami complained to local officials yesterday after failing to receive monetary assistance. Over 100 local residents were extremely dissatisfied with the way the relief money was being handed out, While those injured by the tsunami attack on 26 December had each received Bt2,000, people who had lost their homes had received nothing, said Mr. Manop Krongkhaorieb, headman of Baan Koh Phi Phi. (3-1-05) • Rumours that sea creatures are eating the corpses of people who died in last week's tsunamis have forced local fish sellers to stop selling seafood altogether and concentrate on freshwater fish. Traders in Maharat Market in Thailand's southern Krabi Province said yesterday that they were completely unable to sell any prawns,

5 squid or other seafood due to the rumours that they were feeding off the corpses of tsunami victims. Thai News Agency, 3-1-05) • The MOPH pledged to set up long-term psychiatric centres for survivors of last week's tsunamis, after finding that many are experiencing mental health problems ranging from insomnia to terror of the sea. Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said over 800 survivors appeared to be suffering from mental health problems. Of these, seven have been categorized as suffering from severe problems, and are now receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital in Thani Province (Thai News Agency, 3-1-05) • Police working in Thailand's southern provinces affected by last week's tsunamis announced today that they had arrested 58 looters, and seized looted goods ranging from bags and gold necklaces to computers. (Thai News Agency, 3-1-05)

2-1-05

• Hundreds of sea-wary villagers made it to high ground with no fatalities when the waves struck Thai Mai village on Muang Phuket's Sirae island on 26 December 2004 (Bangkok Post, 2-1-05) • A coalition of NGOs and civic groups will draw up a rehabilitation plan for the fishing communities hardest-hit by last Sunday's giant tidal waves in the six coastal provinces. According to an initial survey, altogether about 20,000 fishing families and 2,000 trawlers were affected by the tsunamis in Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces. (Bangkok Post, 2-1-05) • The Interior Ministry said yesterday it intended to complete its search-and-recovery operations in the disaster-ravaged Khao Lak area in Phang Nga province within a week, just as hundreds of new bodies were found on Phi Phi Island and in Phang Nga. (The Nation, 2-1-05)

31-12-04 • Government has sent specialist teams to test and clean fresh water sources in Thailand's southern areas hit by tsunami. (Thai News Agency, 31-12-04) • A hotel in Thailand's southern Krabi province was turned into an emergency forensic laboratory yesterday, as decomposing corpses continued to pile in from Sunday's tsunami disaster.(Thai News Agency, 31-12-04) • The Meteorological Department today urged the public not to believe rumours of a further tsunami coming to Thailand, while promising to issue an immediate warning should any more incidents occur.(Thai News Agency, 31-12-04)

29-12-04

• Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said poor organisation could slow the recovery. He had asked ministers to supervise clean-up and recovery activities in Ranong, Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang and Satun. (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04)

• Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suvit Khunkitti would take care of Krabi; Deputy Interior Minister Sutham Saengprathum, Phangnga; Deputy Prime Ministers Pinit Charusombat and Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Ranong; and the Interior Minister Pokin Polakul Phuket, Trang and Satun. Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop would deal with emergency help offered to foreign tourists. (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04)

• Thailand only has around 60 forensic experts. The team badly needs supplies of good body bags. They only have cloth bags at the moment to wrap the bodies in.(The Nation, 30-12-04)

6

• Freshwater shortages caused by sea water contamination of underground and surface sources threaten more suffering in tidal wave-hit areas. Natural Resources and Environment Ministry staff are inspecting damage caused and trying to quickly repair vital water systems. Groundwater Department chief said new ponds would be established in nearby unaffected areas to supply locals with fresh water. Have to find new freshwater sources as soon as possible because rainfall will be scarce beginning next month when the dry season reaches its peak (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04).

• Authorities were also concerned about the massive amount of untreated municipal wastewater being discharged from the Phuket community of Patong into the . The town's water treatment plant has been unable to treat its normal 10,000 cubic metres of wastewater each day since Sunday as the pump and regulator controls were destroyed. Many wastewater ponds were also flooded. (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04)

• Public Health Ministry has warned of the possibility of disease in the tsunami-ravaged provinces. people were at risk of contracting diseases of the digestive system, dysentery, cholera and typhoid if they consumed unclean food and water. Respiratory ailments also posed a problem, while damaged roads and infrastructure posed the danger of accidents. The ministry also issued warnings about the threat of conjunctivitis and mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04)

• About 15,000 troops deployed in the deep South cannot join rescue operations in the tsunami-hit provinces due to the highly volatile situation in the restive region. Soldiers deployed in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces must stay put following warnings about possible militant attacks. Troops from the upper South, including Ranong, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phangnga have been sent to take part in rescue and recovery operations (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04).

• About 800 Burmese workers are believed to have died in Sunday's tsunami disaster in the South. Surapong Kongchanthuek, deputy chairman of the Law Society of Thailand's committee on human rights for stateless and displaced people, said he had obtained confirmation that around 200 Burmese workers, mostly fishing boat crewmen, had died in Phangnga's Takua Pa district and about 1,500 others were listed as missing. Rough estimate was about 800 deaths, based on the fact there were 47,501 Burmese workers in Ranong, 36,483 in Phuket, 29,730 in Phangnga, 8,000 in Trang, 3,000 in Satun and 3,000 in Krabi. However, only 22,504 were registered with the Labour Ministry. (Bangkok Post, 30-12-04)

• The many corpses floating in the sea and buried under damaged buildings and coastline have started to bloat and omit foul odours four days after the deadly tsunami disaster, complicating the work of search-and-removal teams who are already lacking many of the most necessary and basic tools. (The Nation, 30-12-04) • French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier yesterday arrived on Thailand's devastated southern resort island of Phuket to deliver a package of humanitarian aid and determine the fate of French tourists. Mr. Barnier, the first foreign dignitary to visit the kingdom in the wake of Sunday's tsunami, held talks with Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula before visiting Bangkok Phuket Hospital, where over 10 French tourists are being treated. All the French tourists are now said to be out of danger. (Thai News Agency, 30-12-04)

28-12-04 • International rescue teams from Japan, US and France arrive Tsunami hit coastal provinces. These include search and medical teams, with equipments, rescue helicopter and aircraft. (Thai News Agency; 28-12-04)

7 • More than 10,000 tourists are still stranded in the disaster area (Thai News Agency; 28-12-04) • Thai health officials set up counseling services for post-trauma stress at and Bangkok’s Sri Thanya hospital. • International and Authority of Thailand are helping with evacuation of tourists from disaster area. (Phuket Airport Tel: 076-205-335 / 076-212- 400 / 076-211-195) (Bangkok Airport Tel: 02-535-7070-3. • Shortage of food, drinking water, clothes (The Nation, Bangkok Post; 28-12-04). • Lootings from hotels and shops (The Nation, Bangkok Post; 28-12-04)

------

For more information, please contact:

Dr William Aldis, WHO Representative to Thailand, Tel: 661-934-2280, email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Mr Narintr Tima, Tel: 669-7996801, email: [email protected]

Dr Pathom Sawanpanyalert, Tel: 661-612-4480, Email: [email protected]

Ms Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, Tel: 661-8151226, Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

8