Baan Arsa Jaidee

The Thai Health Promotion Foundation, an autonomous government agency, in collaboration with civil society--ArsaDusit Volunteers, Thaiflood, and others--opened Baan Arsa Jaidee on October 14th, 2011. It has quickly proved itself an aggressive and responsive flood relief effort because it helps to coordinate dozens of existing civil society groups.

Baan Arsa Jaidee and its partners: mobilize volunteers; coordinate aid; deliver timely flood information; and deliver survival bags, food, medicine, camp toilets, life jackets and other assistance to the flood-affected communities.

The relief centre will close on 31/12/2011, as the need for immediate, emergency aid declines in many place. However, many communities remain flooded, and our partners are providing support and increasingly focusing on flood clean-up and rehabilitation. Support for partners, ThaiHealth and Arsa Dusit, is still much needed.

We will soon have an update on the final use of funds used through the Baan Arsa Jaidee coalition, and with plans for ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

October 31st update: Too early to celebrate

The Thai Prime Minister has announced that inner Bangkok will hopefully be spared, and that flooding can be controlled.  While optimism is important, it remains too early to celebrate.

There remain (give or take) 100 billion cubic metres of floodwater draining through central Thailand, Bangkok and to the ocean.  If the dikes continue to hold, inner Bangkok could continue largely dry.  However, millions of people, including in North, East and West Bangkok have already been submerged.  The need remains great.
Desperate for supplies

Moreover, the threat of disease will remain for weeks, if not months.  Waterborne diseases and malaria are a significant threat.  And even if not fully flooded, Bangkok's principle drinking water canal has already been breached by flood waters.  As such, Baan Arsa Jaidee is planning how it can help to promote preventative health measures in flooded areas.

We will keep you updated on these efforts.  Thank you for your support.

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