Back to Tsunami
Recovery Index • Email this
story 
Tsunami Relief Update from Church of Christ in Thailand
22 January 2005
This update does not attempt to be a comprehensive update about the Tsunami disaster situation in South Thailand, but an attempt is made to allow CCT supporters and partners to understand one perspective and how the CCT is responding to the situation in the South.
A group of 6-8 CCT church and ministry workers and leaders were in the South of Thailand together from 28 December to 8 January visiting communities and assessing the damage done by the Tsunami of 26 December 2004. After visiting and providing immediate relief supplies to some communities in Krabi and Phang Nga, the team went to an area in Takuapa District of Phang Nga, called Tambon Khuk Kak. This is where Khao Lak and Ban Nam Khem are located two areas severely damaged by Tsunami. A Lutheran church under the CCT near there was the teams point of reference. They met with government officials, met with local leaders, and interviewed community members and had many discussion over several days.
The community around the Childrens Center of Khuk Kak Sub-district center is inhabited by a minority people called the Moken* people group (63 families) as well as another 36 Thai families who have lived together in the same community. Forty people were killed in this community and much damage was done. Most of the homes were severely damaged or destroyed while their fishing livelihood was also essentially destroyed to the point that they are essentially unable to continue.
*Note: The Moken people ( referred to as Morgan in an earlier message) are a group of the Chao Lay or sea gypsies that make a living off the sea. They are a minority group that actually prefer to be called the Thai Mai.
The government has built a series of 10 temporary shelters which each shelter can house up to 10 families. Food and water and other basic necessities have been provided. However, most of the families were without kitchen utensil and stoves when the CCT team was there. Therefore, the CCT contributed to the families by providing stoves and cooking kits for each family. Other items were purchased particularly to assist the Moken or Thai Mai families because they appeared to be greater need and receiving less attention.
The group of CCT representatives that were in this particular community for several days have recommended that the CCT establish a long term presence in the community to provide assistance in moral support through counseling and friendship, rebuilding their homes, scholarships for children, and vocational training and support.
The Thai government is planning to allocate 100-120,00 Baht to build a home for each family that has lost a home. The homes will be constructed in the next three months. Each family will be given a choice to select from three different designs. The homes will be built in three different sites throughout the District of Takuapa. Unfortunately, since the homes which were affected were in many more than three villages. Therefore, many families will be required to move communities in order to receive a new home. The Thai Mai (Moken) people are one group who appear to have to move. But the land they are living on now is considered prime land for tourism and development. Indications are that the Thai Mai people are likely to suffer abuse of their rights due to the high interest in the land they are occupying. The assessment team from the CCT highly recommends to the CCT work amongst these people so as to help them to protect their rights.
In other areas, from 13-15 January a group of 70 volunteer pastors and elders enrolled in a short course on trauma counseling. The plan is to disperse the team around to various communities to be available to provide counseling and support o families affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile the CCT leadership has appointed a new permanent committee to direct the Tsunami relief response of the CCT in the South. The new committee will likely move the operations center from Nakorn Srithamarat to Trang. Trang is closer to the area that was affected than Nakon Srithamarat. Also Trang is the location of the District 17 church of the CCT.
The first meeting of the new committee will be on 25 January. Decisions as to a long term response and focus will be addressed at that time. At this point it appears that the CCT will respond in the following way:
a.. Establish a working committee that will develop and carry out a plan as approved by the Tsunami relief committee.
b.. Assist in providing for the immediate and long term need especially the human rights needs of those specific groups that are greatest risk to abuse, including the Moken.
c.. Plan to establish a home for children orphaned by the Tsunami disaster with the possible inclusion of a school.
d.. Develop a coordination center to allow volunteers from the CCT and international partners around the world to join in the CCT ministry in the south.
Another update will be sent out after the 25 January 2005.
Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support to the CCT.
on behalf of
Rev. Dr. Sint Kimhachanh, CCT General Secretary
Written by Scott Coats