Appeal Target: CHF 2,549,593
Programme Update No. 2;
Period covered: April to June 2003
The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 180 countries. For more information: www.ifrc.org

In Brief

Appeal coverage: 69%; See attached Contributions List for details.

Outstanding needs: CHF 783,414

Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: N/A

Programme Summary: In May, the

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: This updates Fact Sheet #2, dated July 23, 2002

Background

Harnessing modern technology and increasing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness could save lives and help prevent some of the billions of dollars in property damage each year across Asian and the Pacific, United Nations officials stressed today at a meeting in Bangkok.
"Many lives could be saved and tragedy mitigated, if effective disaster management measures are undertaken," Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), said in an opening address to the UN

BANGKOK, Nov 5, 2002 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a contingent budget of over 6.5 billion baht (154.7 million US dollars) to assist flood victims, the Thai News Agency reported.

Deputy government spokesman Chachawal Chomphudang was quoted as saying that the over 6.5 billion baht (154.7 million baht) budget would be used to ease the plight of people in the North and Northeast suffering from recent inundation in the areas.

Part of the budget would be used to repair government buildings and local infrastructure, namely roads and bridges,

(Extracted from JRS Dispatches No. 120)
Twice monthly news bulletin from the Jesuit Refugee Service International Office

REFUGEE NEWS BRIEFINGS

1. PEACE PROCESS IN SRI LANKA CONTINUES TO OFFER HOPE OF RETURN HOME FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE

The peace process in Sri Lanka continues to offer hope of a return home for the many thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes during the country's long-running civil war. Nearly 110,000 displaced people have already returned to their homes, though a further 430,000 people are still awaiting resettlement, reports JRS in

By Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat

BANGKOK, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Floods that caused chaos in Bangkok this week have eased but officials said on Wednesday the south of Thailand faced the prospect of torrential rain in the flood-hit country.

Weather officials said heavy rain could last until December in southern Thailand and there was a risk of flash floods in some villages and towns, including the region's commercial centre, Hat Yai.

"Rainclouds have moved from Bangkok to the southern region," Dusadee Sarigabutr, deputy director-general

By Nopporn Wong-Anan

BANGKOK, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Torrential rain brought flash flooding to central Bangkok on Monday, snarling traffic, delaying school exams and forcing thousands of workers to stay at home.

A combination of rain, high tide and northern floodwaters flowing down the Chao Phraya River into the city saw homes and roads flooded to a depth of up to half a metre (20 inches).

Office workers took off their shoes and rolled up their trousers to pick their way through ankle-deep water in the central business district.

Thai meteorologists reported Bangkok