By Ms. Supattraporn Tanatikom
Coordinator of ILP-WWDs for DPI/AP
Contents of Presentation
After the great disaster in the South of Thailand, former Thai government had refused any oversea financial support and tried itself to manipulate the Emergency Recovery Project for affected people in six provinces- - Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satul.
Thai government reported that the number of people who died because of Tsunami on the morning of December 26, 2004 is about 2,059 and 6,065 injured persons excluding any report about PWDs in hospitals and relief shelters.
The governmental project consisted of emergency relief, recovery and reconstruction, but there were not included PWDs as a target group in early-staged projects, plans and activities.
Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Regional Office (DPI/AP) has earlier assisted PWDs in Tsunami affected area through many activities. By the support of Japanese organizations, Thai Airways Inter'l and DPI/AP, donated 150 wheelchairs preliminary distributed to the survivor in Phang Nga.
We also organized activities to alleviate PWDs who are jobless and have lived in poverty so that they are able to generate incomes and regain nearly their previous livelihood - psychological "recovery", as well as empowerment is necessary.
Search and Visit
DPI/AP sent 2 survey teams to resurvey 22 temporary camps and nearby communities in 3 districts of Kuraburi, Takuapa and Taimuang in September. We could not find or get information enough number of PWDs. Among small number, most of them are elderly over 65-70 years old.
DPI/AP & ILO Post Tsunami Livelihoods Recovery Projects
Subsequently, DPI/AP started projects supported by International Labour Organization (ILO) with two objectives. One is improving livelihoods for PWDs in Phang Nga Tsunami affected areas, through awareness-raising, skills training and empowerment and the other is improving business opportunities in the hospitality industry in the Tsunami affected areas by introducing "Barrier-free concepts" and promoting accessible tourism.
SHO in Phang Nga (1)
Gap and Challenge
