Thousands of fishing boats, boat engines and fishing gear important to local livelihoods have been replaced through various programmes. Photo shows repaired boats in the Chao Lay village of Hin Look Dieu, Phuket. Photo: UNDP PREFACE The tragedy of the tsunami that struck Thailand’s Andaman coast on 26 December 2004, and the devastation and misery it left in its wake, is unprecedented in recent history. This disaster also brought forth an extraordinary response. Thailand, under the strong leadership of the Royal Thai Government (RTG), provided effective, efficient and comprehensive relief and humanitarian assistance to the Thai people, as well as to the large number of foreigners affected by the disaster. The scale of the disaster was matched by the generosity of the Thai people, who came forward to assist the victims of the tragedy in an extraordinary display of humanity. The Thai private sector and local NGOs also played a major role in the relief and recovery effort. Organizations and individuals from around the world contributed money and resources in support of Thailand’s response to the tsunami, and the world gratefully acknowledged the role of the RTG in dealing with the tragedy and its aftermath. Given its capacity and resources, Thailand did not appeal for international financial assistance. The international community has therefore played a relatively small but strategic role in Thailand’s tsunami recovery. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), bilateral development agencies, and international NGOs have contributed structured support to the Royal Thai Government’s recovery efforts in areas where the RTG welcomed support from international partners: providing technical support, equipment, and direct support to the affected communities. Thailand has provided valuable lessons in dealing with the disaster, which we hope will be disseminated and shared, especially with other countries in the region, enabling them to benefit from this experience. This report is a powerful tribute to Thailand’s effective response to the tsunami. It is also an acknowledgement of the challenges that remain in ensuring a sustainable and equitable recovery. Finally, it is a reaffirmation of the commitment of the United Nations Country Team, bilateral development agencies, and international NGOs to support the RTG in addressing the challenges in the rebuilding effort. And, as former United States President Bill Clinton, the Special Envoy of the UN for tsunami relief has insisted, to ensuring that the rebuilding abide by the principle of “build back better.” Joana Merlin - Scholtes Ian C. Porter UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand Country Director, The World Bank 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report is a joint publication by the United Nations Country Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), United Nations Team, with lead support from UNDP and the World Bank. Office for Project Services (UNOPS), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World We are grateful to all organizations and agencies that have Bank. contributed to this report, and provided comments and guidance. This report has benefited from the reports, information Bilateral Agencies and consultations from a large number of organizations and agencies. While all efforts have been made to obtain and Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), present the contribution of all agencies to the relief and recovery Austrian Embassy, Embassy of Belgium, British Embassy, effort, it is possible that the contribution of some agencies Canadian Embassy, Canadian International Development could not be obtained or adequately shown in this report. Agency (CIDA), Royal Danish Embassy, Delegation of the We welcome any supplementary information that allows us to European Commission, French Embassy, Embassy of the more accurately reflect the contribution of the partners in Thailand’s Federal Republic of Germany, German Aid Agency for relief and recovery efforts. International Development (GTZ), Embassy of the Republic of Hungary, Embassy of Italy, Embassy of Japan, Japanese Government Agencies International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Royal Netherlands Embassy, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Embassy of the Republic Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency, of Poland, Embassy of Portugal, Swedish International Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Community Organizations Develop- Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Embassy of the ment Institute; Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Republic of South Africa, Embassy of Switzerland, and US Ministry of Education; Ministry of Information and Commu- Agency for International Development (USAID). nications Technology; Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Labour; Ministry Non Governmental Organizations of Natural Resource and Environment; Ministry of Public Health; Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Care, HelpAge, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Development and Human Security; Ministry of Tourism and Crescent Societies (IFRC), The World Conservation Union Sports; Office of the Prime Minister; Marketing Intelligence (IUCN), Oxfam, Plan International, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand. the Asia Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, Friedrich Neumann Stiftung, Save the Children Alliance, World Vision United Nations Country Team in Thailand Foundation of Thailand. Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Drafting and Research Team Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Civil Håkan Björkman (UNDP), Sirisupa Kulthanan (UNDP), Ryratana Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Finance Suwanraks (UNDP), Amanda Pitt (UNRCO), Alexandra Laddon Irving Corporation (IFC), International Labour Organization (ILO), (Georgetown University), Barbara Orlandini (UNRCO), Poonyanuch International Organization for Migration (IOM), Office for the Chockanapitaksa (WB), Patchamuthu Illangovan (WB),Tanyathon Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Joint United Phetmanee (WB), Nat Pinnoi (WB), Sirinporn Pongsurapipat (UNDP), Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Pamornrat Tansanguanwong (WB), Waraporn Hirunwatsiri (WB), Achira Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Leawphairat (WB), Kirida Bhaopichitr (WB). Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic and Social Production Team Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP),United Nations Poonyanuch Chockanapitaksa (WB), Tanyathon Phetmanee (WB) Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Principal Writer High Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR), United Nations Dipa Singh Bagai Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Industrial Develop- ment Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Development Fund Design and Printing for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations International Strategy Rywin Nuntarapepat for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), United Nations Office on Chutinun Mora Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Office of the United Nations High Focal Image Printing Group Co., Ltd 3 CONTENTS Preface 2 Social Protection Measures for 29 Acknowledgements 3 Children List of Abbreviations 6 Measures for Psychosocial Support 30 Executive Summary 9 and Coping with Trauma Support to Migrant Workers 31 Part 1 Impact of the Tsunami 13 Environmental Recovery 31 I Human Impact 13 Provision of Shelter 32 Death Toll and Injuries 13 Disaster Preparedness and Early 32 Psychological Trauma 14 Warning Systems Houses 15 III Coordination Mechanisms 33 Schools 15 Government Coordination Mechanisms 33 Children 15 Coordination of International Assistance 34 Traditional Fishing Communities 15 Coordination of Forensic Operations 34 and Ethnic Groups Mechanisms for Coordination of 34 Migrant Workers 16 International Assistance II Environmental Impact 16 NGO Coordination and Networking 34 Debris and Hazardous Materials 16 IV Public Expenditure on the Tsunami 35 Coral Reefs and Marine and Coastal 16 Response Habitats V Private Sector and NGO Support 36 Salt Water Intrusion and Land Subsidence 16 VI Lessons Learnt from the Initial 36 National Park Infrastructure 17 Emergency Response III Economic Impact 18 VII Key Issues and Challenges for 37 Overall Impact in Financial Terms 18 Longer-Term Recovery Macro Economic Impact 18 1. Local Governance and Community 37 Tourism 19 Participation Fisheries 20 2. Livelihood Recovery of Poorer 38 Agriculture and Livestock 20 Communities Infrastructure 20 3. Land Rights 38 4. Housing Design – getting it right 40 Part 2 Thailand’s Response to the Tsunami 23 5. Protecting Children 41 I Emergency Response 23 6. The Rights of Migrant Workers 41 Search for Survivors 23 7. Ethnic Groups – voice and identity 41 Coping with Large Numbers of Fatalities 24 8. Environmental Rehabilitation – lost 42 Assistance to foreign tourists 24 opportunity? Relief Operations –provision of shelter, 25 9. Community-Based Disaster Preparedness 42 food, water, medical services Compensation Schemes for Victims 26 Part 3 The Contribution of International 45 II Longer Term Recovery 27 Partners Livelihoods Recovery 27 I UN Support – Emergency Phase 47 Support to Recovery of Fisheries 27 II UN Support – Longer Term Recovery 48 Support to Recovery of Small 28 III Contribution of Bilateral Partners 49 Businesses Search and Rescue 50 Support to Recovery of Tourism 28 Disaster Victim Identification 50 Social Recovery 29 Humanitarian Assistance 50 4 Reconstruction Support to Livelihoods, 50 Tables Housing, Childcare