Introduction                                                          
Chabad of Thailand responded to the tsunami with immediate rescue and relief efforts.  Now, over two months after the tragedy struck, Chabad of Thailand is shifting the focus of its efforts to the mid- and long-term needs of the survivors and their communities.

While the major international aide organizations and the Thai government concentrate primarily on rebuilding infrastructure and housing, other critical needs of the survivor community remain unaddressed.  Among these unmet needs are the replacement of destroyed property and the acquisition of alternative income sources for those whose homes and principle means livelihood were destroyed.  The biggest challenges for the region in the long-term will be coping with extended stays in provisional housing and economic recovery.

The principle mid- and long-goals of the efforts of Chabad of Thailand will be to:

  • Improve the living conditions and daily lives of those forced to remain in temporary shelters
  • Support the on-going relief efforts of effective volunteer organizations in the effected regions
  • Assist in the economic recovery of individuals and communities
  • Establish a mechanism for responding to future emergencies as they arise.

Specific Interventions                                           

  1. Transportation
    Objective: Facilitate on-going relief efforts by ensuring adequate transportation for supplies, relief volunteers and survivors housed in temporary resettlement camps through the procurement and provision of appropriate vehicles.
    Details
  2. Home Improvement
    Objective: Fulfill the immediate and long-term needs for household and school furniture through the establishment of furniture production workshops in major relocation camps.
    Details
  3. Support of ongoing Relief
    Objective: Support ongoing relief efforts in affected areas through the provision of funding and technical support to local relief organizations.
    Details
  4. Micro-Credit
    Objective: Provide small-scale interest-free loans for the start-up of small-scale income generation projects or enterprises.
    Details
  5. Regional Emergency Relief Preparedness
    Objective: Ensure the sustained readiness to respond to future emergencies primarily among visitors to the region through the establishment of a Southeast Asian regional emergency fund.
    Details