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 185 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the situation and the information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The International Federation undertakes activities that are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to achieve the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
The Situation
In recent days both the Philippines and Vietnam have been severely struck by typhoon Xangsane causing death, injury and widespread destruction. For more detail on this please refer to the emergency appeals issued for both countries: http://www.ifrc.org/where/appeals/allappeals.asp
Thailand has also been affected, if to a lesser extent. Xangsane was downgraded to a tropical depression but still caused heavy rainfall and strong winds in the northeast of the country. Electricity supplies and transport networks were hit. The province of AngTang was especially affected where villages are reportedly to be under almost three metres of water. Local authorities have warned of rising river levels as rain continues to fall. Further information on the damage is currently being identified by Thai Red Cross assessment teams in the affected areas. In Thailand this is an additional blow as the country has been badly affected by several floods over the past month inundating 35 provinces across the North, Northeast and Central regions. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation confirm 14 people have died. The resulting floods have affected 958,767 people in more than 263,833 households, with more than 1,297,365 rai of farmland and local infrastructure damaged. Among the most seriously affected provinces are: Kampangpetch, Pitsanulok, Sukotai, Pijit, Nakornsawan, Chainart, Utaithani, Singburi, AngTang, Ayuthaya, Lopburi, Patumthani, Nontaburi, Chacherngsao, Cholburi, Prajinburi, Jantaburi, Khonkaen, Phangna & Bangkok.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Action
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation at provincial and local levels has been evacuating people in the flood affected areas while the Thai Red Cross Society has been assisting through the provision of relief kits and emergency food for the victims.
Between 18 Aug - 28 Sept 2006, The Relief and Community Health Bureau Thai Red Cross Society, Thai Red Cross Health Centre No.3 Chiang Mai, No. 13 Tak and Red Cross Provincial Chapter have distributed 16,521 emergency relief family parcels, 7,624 drinking water bottles, 8,000 household medicine kits and medicines for foot disease to the affected in 12 provinces. Red Cross flat bottom boats to evacuate people, as well as trucks andfour wheel drive vehicles to transport food and drinking water, are deployed.
Thai Red Cross headquarters has dispatched a needs assessment team to support local chapters in identifying and planning the needs of the victims affected by Xangsane, the teams will utilise flat bottom boats to access the most difficult areas. In addition mobile relief vehicles with medical supplies for 1,000 households and safe drinking water have been deployed to affected areas.
Map: Thailand: Floods - Situation map
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
Thai RC
Federation Regional Delegation in Bangkok: Mr. Bekele Geleta, Head of Regional Delegation, Email: bekele.geleta@ifrc.org, Phone: + 66.2.661.8201 ext. 100, or Mr. Michael Annear, Head of Regional Disaster Management Unit; Email michael.annear@ifrc.org, Phone: + 66.2.661. 8201, or Mr. Alan Bradbury, Regional Programme Coordinator, Email: alan.bradbury@ifrc.org, Phone: + 66.2.661.8201
In Geneva: Southeast Asia Desk: Mr. Gert Venghaus & Ms. Sabine Feuglet, Southeast Asia Desk, Emails: gert.venghaus@ifrc.org and sabine.feuglet@ifrc.org, Phone: +41.22.730.4258, Fax: + 41.22.733.0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org