|
It’s been over a month since
the tsunami rage over the Andaman coast of Thailand,
the disaster continues in the lives of the residents
in the Andaman coast of Thailand. Assistance from the
public and private section has not been sufficient and
missing women and children living in some areas including
the Bangthao Village, Thalang district, Phuket
|
This village is located in the state-owned land,
about 500-700 metres away from the beach of Bangthao.
The residents were Muslims and related to one another.
The tsunamis did not claim their houses but took away
their means of livelihoods and occupational tools. The
women, formerly traders, now lack tools and capital to
restart their businesses. Those who used to make earning
from tourists such as being a cleaner in hotels and guesthouses
are unemployed. It is hard to predict when they can resume
their employment. Moreover, the women and children are
suffering from the tsunami trauma: would the tidal wave
return? Each night the villagers take shifts to monitor
wave movements. The children often cry, fearing the tsunamis
would return.
The Bangtahao villagers need more help. Seed money to
restart businesses. Counseling to get rid of the fear
of tsunamis. These could help them getting back on their
feet. To date, they have received simply life necessity.
After our first visit to the Bangthao during 8-10 January
2005, staffs of the Foundation for Women have been able
to assess the needs of women and children. Funds were
mobilized successfully. On 31 January 2005, our staff
revisited the Bangthao village and gave assistance grants
to women and children from 16 households. Each family
received THB 5,000, totaling THB 80,000. The assistance
grant could not make up for their loss. But it could help
temporarily assuage the pain and sufferings each family
has had to endure and to encourage the women and children
to resume life.
Chanthira is one of the grant recipients. She would use
the money to fix her food stall and spare some as seed
money for her food business. Her female siblings and relatives
would participate in her endeavor. Wanida will be able
to use the money to repair her grocery store and place
order for new lots of goods. Urai wants to learn how to
make batik clothes. She doesn’t have the skill yet but
belives she could learn and practice in this new career.
The foundation for Women would like to thank the following
who have helped contributing for the causes of these women
and children:
- Mr Christopher Moore (THB 20,000)
- Ms Busakorn Suriyasarn (THB 10,000)
- Ms Mukda Sunkool, Ms Urmila Sarkar, Mr Wahidur Rahman,
Ms Parissara Liewkeat (THB 25,000)
- Mr Chaiyan Rachakook (THB 6,600)
- Hokkaido Thailand Club (500,000 Yen and THB 200)
(by the co-ordinate from KhunSamut Tungsaleekaset, Hokkaido
University)
For future contribution,
the Foundation will distribute them to affected
women and children in other areas.
To date, the foundation has identified about 100 women
and children.
A long-term occupational training and psychosocial counseling
will be of significance help to them. If you wish to
support these women and children through the Foundation
for Women, you can deposit your contribution to:
Foundation for Women, Kasikorn Thai Bank, Account
Number 038-2-18085-2;
Or email for more information at FFW@mozart.inet.co.th
or visit our website at www.womenthai.org.
Our staff can be reached by phone at 66-2-435-1246;
66-2-433-5149
Thank you.
>> Back to Home
|
_files/clear.gif){kind=spacer}
