In
many ways, Thailand has seen a remarkable recovery from the
December 2004 tsunami disaster. For one, the tourism industry
has bounced back; the Kasikorn Research Centere estimating a
rise of almost 90 per cent in the number of people visiting
the country’s tsunami-affected regions from 2005.
Yet, evidence of the tragedy remains visible. Warnings signs
that read “Tsunami Hazard Zone” have been put up
all along the coast and more than 50 early warning towers rise
above pristine beaches and fishing villages.
Near the fishing village of Ban Naem Khem, the Tsunami Victim
Cemetery is under construction. This will be the last place
of rest for the nameless unidentified victims; unregistered
workers from neighboring countries, lost family members and
friends from local villages.
In the far corner the last piece is being added to a huge sculpture
of a wave that looms over ten dark-grey cement pillars. Behind
the sculpture are two buidings where ceremonies of all religions
can be held.
“We want this place to belong to everyone,” says
Police Lieutenant Colonel Annuchit Boonyapatipask, who leads
the work at the Tsunami Victim Identification Centre. “Therefore,
the wall around the cemetery is low, so people can look in,
and the lights will be on all night.”
Behind him, simple concrete gravestones wait to be marked with
a number corresponding to an unidentified body. Altogether 410
bodies have been buried here, but their DNA is on file and each
have been implanted with microchips and enclosed in aluminium
coffins so they can be disinterred later if progress on identification
is made.
“The tsunami is not over for us. Our work continues,”
Annuchit Boonyapatipask says.
Though not involved in the Government’s efforts to identify
victims, the Red Cross Red Crescent has supported some families
in their endeavours to bring the bodies of relatives home. For
some, the cost of travelling to tsunami-affected provinces to
collect their loved ones is prohibitively expensive.
In December 2005, the Finnish Red Cross, in cooperation with
the Finnish Disaster Victim identification team, committed to
provide financial support for the repatriation and burial of
tsunami victims whose families could not afford the costs of
travel and transport.
The assistance covered the travel of the victim’s immediate
family. In all over 100 bodies have been transported back to
their homes with the support of the Finnish Red Cross.
“We have to remember that many of these families were
left doubly exposed to the disaster,” explains Henna Korta,
the Finnish Red Cross’ country coordinator in Thailand.
“Not only have they lost a love one, the person sent away
was very often also the one earning a living for the family.
Therefore, they are in need of financial assistance, something
that we can help with.”
As is the case in other countries that were affected by the
tsunami, the Red Cross Red Crescent is not only supporting communities
as they recover from the disaster, but is also supporting them
to prepare for future disasters.
In Phuket, the “Disaster Safety Mind” campaign -
organized by the Thai Red Cross and the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – is raising public
awareness about natural disasters; about what can be done by
individuals and communities to reduce their impact.
In one of the six big tents set up on a sports ground, a crowd
of young schoolgirls are gathered. In front of her giggling
friends young Keysorn is about to finish practising resuscitation
techniques on a first aid mannequin.
“Well, I struggled a bit,” Keysorn laughs, self-effacingly.
“But on the other hand, we need to practice. When my nephew
almost drowned in a pool, I was the one saving his life.”
Wantanee Kongsomboon, Deputy Director of Relief and Health Bureau
with the Thai Red Cross, is pleased with this opportunity to
raise disaster awareness among young people.
“Earlier, many people in Thailand believed that big disasters
were something that happened in faraway places, but that has
changed after the tsunami,” she says.
“Training in first aid for children is part of this necessary
preparedness. Sure, there are those that don’t want to
be reminded of the disaster, but if lives can be saved, they
ought to be saved.”
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A
laughing Keysorn takes part in first aid training as part
of the Red Cross Red Crescent ‘Disaster Safety Mind’
campaign. This initiative, organized by the Thai Red Cross
and the International Federation, is helping to raise
public awareness about natural disasters; about what can
be done by individuals and communities to reduce their
impact. (p15270)
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Reminders
of the tsunami remains visible throughout Thailand’s
southern provinces. Warnings signs like this in Phang
Nga one have been erected all along the coast, and more
than 50 early warning towers rise above pristine beaches
and fishing villages. (p15272)
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“We
want this place to belong to everyone,” says Police
Lieutenant Colonel Annuchit Boonyapatipask, who leads
the work at the Tsunami Victim Identification Centre.
This sculpture looms over the Tsunami Victim Cemetery,
the last place of rest for the nameless unidentified victims
of the tragedy. (p15295)
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