United Nations assistance in wake of Thailand floods

(New York: 9 June 2006): In the wake of severe flash floods and landslides in northern Thailand, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released $51,000 in emergency cash grants for the purchase of relief supplies and materials for temporary shelter. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also released $50,000 to support the Government's relief efforts.
Heavy rains that started 21 May caused severe flash floods and landslides in five northern provinces in Thailand, including Nan, Phrae, Lamphang, Uttaradit, and Sukhothai. Although the situation has improved in four of the provinces, agricultural lands in more than 100 villages near the Yom River in Sukhothai remain under water. In total, more than 340,000 people have been affected by the flooding and landslides, with nearly 700 houses completely destroyed and more than 1000 roads and bridges damaged.

Initial Government surveys estimated damages of more than $8 million, which does not include damage to the affected population's properties and personal belongings. The Government has allocated some $63 million to the Flood Relief Fund for the five affected provinces.

In addition to its cash grant, the UNDP will work with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to facilitate construction of permanent housing for those affected by the flooding.

The OCHA grants are $25,000 from the Office's reserve fund and $26,000 from funds pre-positioned by Norway.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.