It is certain that the heart of every Thai person in every part of the nation is supporting their fellow countrymen who are currently facing floods. In addition to morale support, we can see that many people are donating necessities, whether in large or small quantities, according to their ability to give. Thai Health Promotion Foundation Office is one organization that is not standing by and doing nothing, and is doing its part in helping residents in flood – stricken parts of the nation. 

The CEO of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Dr. Krissada Raungarreerat, provided details on aid being provided to flood victims. He said that Thai Health Promotion Foundation is concerned about all its partners in flood – stricken areas. On October 1, 2011, Dr. Krissada had the opportunity to visit ThaiHealth partners in Chainat Province. These partners are experiencing great difficulty in conducting their daily lives. Initially, Thai Health Promotion Foundation is instructing all of its offices to coordinate with the foundation’s partnership networks to determine which members of the network are experiencing problems, and whether any aid has been rendered for them. This information will be used to coordinate with the ThaiFlood Center and various other relevant organizations. Localities and communities are also reporting flood information to local administrative organization, members of parliament, and rescue organizations so that they may provide aid to affected areas.

All personnel and administrators at Thai Health Promotion Foundation have contributed to an aid fund that will be used to help people in areas that have yet to receive aid. From 12:00 – 20:00 from October 8 to 11, 2011, Thai Health Promotion Foundation,  the Komol Keemthong Foundation, and the Salueng Group organized the “One Heart New Generation Music Caravan for Flood Relief” to receive donations and aid funds to assist flood victims. The event took place at MBK (Mahboonkrong) Center and involved diverse activities, including charitable booths, and sale of secondhand goods (clothes, etc.).

          “Overall, Thai Health Promotion Foundation is currently attempting to conduct inspections to determine which partner network organization is experiencing flooding in order to expedite and coordinate the provision of aid with relevant organizations. The foundation is also gathering funds and other aid resources to send to various organizations. After flood waters subside, there will be assessment of what projects or activities were affected by flooding so that appropriate decisions to adjust or change those projects or activities can be made. Partners who are affected by flooding and are coordinating with Thai Health Promotion Foundation on flood relief can contact appropriate coordinators at the foundation directly by telephone to provide information on where and how flooding is taking place. Thai Health Promotion Foundation is happy to provide assistance, and is concerned for all flood – affected residents.”    

The CEO of Thai Health Promotion Foundation added that this natural disaster clearly shows that the readiness of localities to handle natural disasters is of vital importance because it takes time for external agencies to respond to situations. In addition, external agencies cannot continuously follow local situations. The strength of various localities and tambon administrative organizations is therefore at the heart of natural disaster response, requiring sufficient preparation. Therefore Thai Health Promotion Foundation has great interest in developing more systematic methods for creating strength for localities before, during, and after floods.

Dr. Krissada also asked citizens in flooded areas to be cautious about the problem of putrid water, because many areas are currently experiencing long term inundation. Members of the public are asked to only come into contact with inundated water if absolutely necessary, such as when walking. If possible, citizens in flood – stricken areas are asked to relocate to safer locations. Additionally, the current flooding clearly shows changes in climate. Therefore, cooperation is necessary to reduce destruction of the environment, and to decrease the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Partnership and International Relations Section of Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Mrs. Benjamaporn Jhantharapat, said that the foundation’s partners in many locations are currently experiencing flooding. Thai Health Promotion Foundation therefore recognizes the importance of expediting aid to various partner networks working in such locations. The Partnership and International Relations Section has opened 3 channels for receiving donations for flood victims including: 1. Accepting donations of cash and necessities from Thai Health Promotion Foundation personnel, 2. Having partners in various communities open centers for receiving donations and providing aid, 3. Coordinating with partners who are involved in volunteer work to assist flood victims. Organizations such as ThaiFlood have brought aid packets to assist flood victims. Thai Health Promotion Foundation provided support for these aid packets.

Mrs. Benjamaporn added that partner groups that are currently experiencing flooding can contact Thai Health Promotion Foundation directly for aid by telephone at 0-2298-0500. Initially, there will be coordination with various agencies, and partner groups that have not been affected by flooding in surrounding areas, to provide aid. Promoting aid provided by local organizations will be more sustainable. Most importantly, partners who are experiencing flooding can delay activities that they have agreed to conduct in agreements with Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Partners who are experiencing flooding do not need to worry about activity delays. If partners have new innovations for providing aid to flood victims, such as new types of rafts, or portable lavatories, they can contact Thai Health Promotion Foundation to support work implementation related to these innovations.

          “Recently, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, ThaiFlood, and other partners visited flood – stricken areas to provide aid to flood victims in Chainat Province. Victims in the area include partners working to establish alcohol – free communities. Currently flood victims have arrived at local roads to receive aid. We talked with local residents and provided aid packets, not only to partners, but to members of the public who are experiencing difficulties. Discussions of various projects being conducted with Thai Health Promotion Foundation were made. Foundation officials assured partners that they do not need to be worried about expediting activities under agreement with Thai Health Promotion Foundation. Partners affected by flooding can delay activities,” said Mrs. Benjamaporn.

Source: International Relations Section, Thai Health Promotion Foundation