Thailand: UNDAC mission report 28 Dec 2004 - 12 Jan 2005

1. The UNDAC Team

The team was composed of the following UNDAC members: Ms Merete Johansson, Chief, APAC, CRD, OCHA Geneva, Mr. Terje Skavdal, RDRA, OCHA, Kobe Dr. Teo Kwang Joo, Singapore Dr. Jari Vainio, Finland Ms. Neryl Lewis, Australia Mr. Robert Goodwin, IHP Support, Norway (1st half) Mr. Anders Laukvik, IHP Support, Norway (2nd half)

2. Description of the Event

On 26 December 2004, between 0058 hours GMT and 0738 hours GMT, a series of earthquakes occurred in the area of the western coast of Northern Sumatra, Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. The two strongest earthquakes had the magnitude of 8.9 on the Richter Scale (0058 hours GMT, 3.30 North, 95.78East, off western coast of Northern Sumatra) and 7.3 on the Richter Scale (0421 GMT, 6.90 North, 92.95 East, Nicobar Islands). The earthquakes caused tsunamis impacting several countries in the region.

3. Impact.

Parts of the 400km western coastline of Thailand have been devastated by the large tsunami that struck South and South-East Asia the morning of 26 December (approximately 10am in Thailand). The coastal provinces of Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun were severely affected. The combined population of these provinces is 1.9 million, many living in coastal areas. Phang-Nga and Krabi are the worst hit areas. These areas are also prime tourist areas with numerous tourist resorts located in close vicinity of the ocean.

As of 10 January, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) estimates that 5,309 have died (out of 2,463 foreigners 78% died in Phang-Nga Province), 8,457 have been injured and 3,810 are reported missing. However, new bodies are being uncovered daily and the death toll is expected to rise.

The estimated damage to infrastructure is difficult to determine at this stage, as the focus of the RTG has been on the treatment and evacuation of the injured and recovery, identification and repatriation of the dead.

The Thai Ministry of Agriculture estimates 2,435 fishing boats destroyed - the total estimated cost for the fishing industry is 572,74 million baht, 225 hectares of agricultural land affected and 54,000 livestock killed. 490 fishing villages with an estimated population of 100,000 - 120,000 have been affected. 5 resorts in Phuket had partial damages, and 27 resorts were completely destroyed (an estimated damage of 768,3 million baht). Partially damaged houses (excluding Phi Phi) are 3,689 and totally 3,082. 50 schools are affected, 4 being destroyed in Ranong. 19 governmental buildings destroyed, 8 harbours, 51 roads, 3 bridges and 11 embankments were damaged.

4. United Nations Response

Upon arrival in Bangkok on the eve of 28 December, the UNDAC team met with MFA and the RC to discuss immediate support requirements and it was agreed that the mission would proceed to the affected area the next day. Prior to departure for Phuket, the team attended a meeting of the UN Country Team on the 29th of December 2004, hosted by the RC where the UNDAC team described its role in supporting the UNCT and Government. It also invited UN agencies with a role in the emergency phase to join the Resident Coordinator and UNDAC team to Phuket. UNICEF, WHO and WFP responded immediately appointing Bangkok-based staff members to join the mission.

UN agencies present confirmed their willingness to coordinate their respective interventions and support RTG efforts. Attending agencies reported:

- UNDP is focused on (i) liaison with RTG; (ii) supporting the UNDAC team and the Resident Coordinator; (iii) longer term rehabilitation in the areas of shelter, livelihoods, and environmental rehabilitation; and (iv) have established an Emergency Relief and Coordination Fund with 100,000 from TRAC 1.1.3.

- WFP is providing 500,000 US (approved by RTG) for local food procurement and distribution for affected populations (will support an estimated population of 150,000). WFP will launch a 25 million US appeal for a regional response (no food needed in Thailand).

- UNICEF will focus their response in 4 provinces - Ranong, Phang-Nga, Trang and Satun. Local UNICEF staff has begun working with provincial authorities to assess the needs of children in regards to: (i) health; (ii) nutrition; (iii) water and sanitation; and (iv) education. UNICEF also has a special focus on HIV/AIDS.

- WHO is seeking to mobilise forensic teams and support Ministry of Health (MoH) efforts.

- UNHCR is considering a 50,000 US contribution to the Emergency Relief Fund - earmarked for shelter. When shelter needs have been established, regional and local shelter supplies may be sourced and supplied to those in need.

- FAO is concerned about the tsunamis impact on coastal communities heavily dependent upon fishing and agriculture for their livelihoods. FAO will mobilise assistance for fishing and agricultural rehabilitation when a needs assessment has been conducted.

- UNFPA is focusing on vulnerable women and girls, particularly in their project areas - Ranong and Satun. UNFPA has mobile clinics deployed in these provinces and are assessing whether additional assistance is required.

- OHCHR will monitor the situation to ensure assistance reaches the vulnerable.

- UNESCO will focus on education and their World Heritage Committee will assess damage to relevant areas.

- UNOPS is able to procure and arrange contracts to assist UN agencies with their response efforts.

- ESCAP advised that Phase 2 security is in place in Phuket.

- ILO will focus on longer-term rehabilitation and employment.

- ADB has offered to redirect unused loans to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of RTG.

- World Bank has also offered RTG support for immediate and medium term relief and reconstruction through the redirection of unused loans. The World Bank in London is establishing a Tsunami Trust Fund as a regional response.

- JIBC has offered loans for longer-term rehabilitation.

Role of the UNDAC team:

From the moment the UNDAC team arrived in Bangkok on 28 December and then in Phuket the next day, it immediately tried to determine how it could best support the Government and UN Country Team. The Royal Thai Government at Bangkok and Phuket levels, thought willing to cooperate with the team, did not want any kind of direct support or participation in the Thai Government's own coordination mechanisms. It soon became clear that the main role for UNDAC was to facilitate UN assessment, coordination and information sharing, and to a limited degree facilitate communication and information sharing on the role of the S & R and forensic teams.

Thai Government officials were unclear at first of the UNDAC team's role - there was an assumption that the team was here to primarily assist foreigners. Once this was overcome, good relations were established with relevant department officials. However, given the effective Thai Government response, there was no need for the UNDAC team to play a strong role in assisting with coordination efforts. Additionally, given the pressure Thai Government officials were under from foreign emabssies to deal with body recovery and identification, officials had little time to spend with the UNDAC Team but were neverthless supportive.

The UNDAC team arrived in Phuket on the 29th of December, 2004 together with the UN Resident Coordinator, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) official and one representative from WFP, WHO and UNICEF. The UNDAC team focused its efforts on carrying out rapid assessments of immediate relief and recovery needs, coordination - liasing with Thai authorities, S&R teams, forensic teams (Disaster Victim Identification coordination), embassy representatives and NGOs in Phuket, general information sharing, and "getting the message out" on priorities for international assistance. The international community can reinforce the Thai national response (which is already very strong) with targeted support, especially of vulnerable groups. Initial priorities are shelter, psychosocial support, child protection, social support, education, livelihood recovery, fisheries/agriculture, environmental rehabilitation, and coordination. ESCAP, ADPC and UNDP have an important role to play in provide technical assistance in disaster preparedness and disaster mitigation.

The UN SG in Jakarta launched the UN Regional appeal on the 6th of January, however the RTG decided not to appeal for international assistance, although it welcomed assistance - especially technical assistance (forensic teams in particular during the emergency phase).

Full report (pdf* format - 237 KB)