Following
the killer tidal waves that struck countries around the Indian
Ocean, the question has arisen of what was known about the tsunami
and how that knowledge could have been transmitted to the public.
These issues were high on the agenda when Juan Manuel Suárez
del Toro, President of International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies, visited the Thai Red Cross Society
(TRCS) on 10 January.
Two weeks after the disaster, volunteers are still seated behind
tables at the gates to the Red Cross headquarters in Bangkok,
ready to receive donations from the public.
Behind them are young Thai and international volunteers sorting
through a huge amount of donated clothing and neatly packing
it into black plastic bags. At the same time, food packages
are being loaded onto a big Red Cross truck.
Overlooking the courtyard is the operation centre, where red
and yellow lights twinkle on a detailed map of the country,
indicating where relief goods are being stored and where assistance
centres have been set up.
The operation room is manned around the clock, TRCS Secretary
General Phan Wannamethee explained, stressing that the emergency
phase is over. Now, there is a need to focus on the long-term
needs such as rehabilitation and psycho-social support.
Among other things, a book on Psychological First Aid edited
by the Danish Red Cross and translated into Thai, will be used
in the training of staff and volunteers.
“The Thai Red Cross serves as an example of a national
society well prepared to assist the most vulnerable, even in
a disaster as unexpected and unprecedented as the tsunami,”
said Suárez del Toro, who also expressed his gratitude
on behalf of the Federation to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha
Chakri Sirindhorn and executive Vice President of the Thai Red
Cross Society.
Princess Sirindhorn, personally affected by the tsunami having
lost her nephew in the gigantic waves, underlined the importance
of preparedness.
“We often say we live in a knowledge-based society, but
we must remember that knowledge has to be transmitted into action
to come to real use, especially when people's lives are at stake
like in the tsunami. In the area of preparedness, we ought to
take greater measures and raise awareness about how to protect
oneself from the dangers of tsunamis. Children can be taught
this already at school,” she concluded.
President Juan Manuel del Toro agreed: “Disaster preparedness
will be part of the Federation's response to the tsunami disaster.
If lives can be saved, they ought to be saved with every means
possible.”
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Federation
President Suárez del Toro with the Secretary General
of the Thai Red Cross, Phan Wannamethee (p12471)
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Suarez del Toro chats with volunteers sorting clothing
donated by the public for tsunami victims (p12472)
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