Initial Response

December 30, 2004

Christ Church Bangkok has come to the view that we are well placed - a gift and a responsibility from God - to provide assistance directly to some of those most in need in the south-west Thailand coastal communities, and we are now proceeding to do this.

In doing this we are working as English-speaking and Thai congregations working together, building on our 25 years experience with the Karen refugees in the north-west, and also with assistance to slum communities here in Bangkok (including relief and assistance in the immediate aftermath of a devastating fire in a slum district here a year ago).

We have arranged to work in partnership with an existing church in Phuket. Two of our Thai Congregation members are now in Phuket, relaying information back to us from the ground. The situation is worse than that which we see on TV screens, which cannot give any idea of the pervasive stench. Food and water supplies are amply provided by large corporations and NGOs. The shortages today in the devastated areas include sanitary pads, underwear, babies' and children's clothing, face masks, latex gloves, and certain medical supplies. There is an appeal for experts who could help in handling corpses to collect records and prepare bodies for transfer or burial.

It is estimated by Thai authorities that 70% of the victims are foreigners. But the locals have had their share of destruction, injury and loss of life. The Thai people concerned are mainly stall holders and workers in the seaside resorts. Their plight and that of local villagers and fishermen seems obscured by the problems of large numbers of tourists, which are more readily publicised in the media.

This morning (30.12.2004) a team of six from Christ Church Bangkok, including Suzanne and Andrew, Yee Ching Wah and three members of the Thai staff, have flown to the Phuket district. One of the airlines here is making free seats available for teams of volunteers; our plan is to spend the night in the church hall there, and fly home on Friday. The primary purpose of this trip is to investigate what is most needed and to consult with the Phuket church on the best ways of collaborating. In addition, we are taking with us bought (an initial Baht 20,000 = AUD$700 already used) and donated items, which have been identified today as those most needed.

A number of church staff and other members of the congregation have spent most of the past two days working here in Bangkok with victims of the tsunami, assisting both in administration of relief programmes and also one-to-one conversations with patients who have been admitted with injuries sustained in the disaster. In most cases, these people, as well as being physically injured themselves, have 'lost' immediate family members or close friends. The majority of these 'lost' people are simply 'missing', not identified as dead, but not yet found alive. Yesterday morning Andrew delivered a van-load of donated clothes for people who survived the tsunami ordeal. At least a dozen other church members have been actively involved - we suspect quite a few more.

In many cases, people who were hit by the tsunami have lost houses, other possessions, livelihoods. Often even "the clothes that they stood up in" were shredded by their ordeal: in quite a few cases the raging waters left people naked. Christ Church Bangkok is able to function as a collection and sorting centre for donated clothing. Because of our other programmes, it is already commonplace for people to leave donated goods with us. Now, with thanks to God and to generous people, the flow of such goods is increasing. Some we have distributed already, much we will despatch to the Phuket district in the coming week.

Christ Church Bangkok is receiving (and providing receipts for) financial contributions for this work. Specifically, the funds will be used to purchase goods that are not being donated, but which are greatly needed, as well as to transport the goods to the points of greatest need, for distribution. Our target for the first stage is Bt.500,000 (about AUS$16,000  or US$12,000 or GBP£6,000). We anticipate that the next stage of relief may include provision of building materials.

Most of all we value your prayers, that our Lord will keep us safe as we undertake this work, but more especially that all our actions will demonstrate His wisdom and love.

tsunami@christchurchbangkok.org