One of the most active volunteer organizations working in the affected regions is Tsunami Volunteers. The aim of this relief group is to complement the rebuilding activities of the major international non-governmental aide organizations and the Thai government. The organization is focusing primarily on improving the living conditions and daily lives of the thousands of families whose homes have been destroyed and who have been forced to seek shelter in temporary resettlement camps.
Currently there are about 150 volunteers, both foreign and Thai, but this number is expected to double during the summer months when both Thai and foreign university students join in the relief efforts. These volunteers are currently working in 12 different relocation camps spread out along more than 200 miles of coastline. The long distances and lack of suitable local transportation have hampered the effective delivery of relief.
Local public transport is limited to a single long-distance bus route which does not provide access to the resettlement camps and is ill-suited for the transport of supplies. Volunteers have relied on hitch-hiking to reach many of the worksites, turning what would normally be a two-hour journey into a five-hour ordeal.
To expedite the relief efforts of the volunteers, Chabad of Thailand will purchase vehicles for the transportation of both personnel and supplies. The list of vehicles includes:
1 multi-passenger mini-van
2 mid-sized singe-cabin pickup trucks
4 motor scooters
Chabad of Thailand will be responsible for the purchase, registration and insuring of these vehicles. The Tsunami Volunteers organization will be responsible for the running and maintenance costs.
The vehicles will be placed at the disposal of Tsunami Volunteers for as long as relief activities warrant. Usage will be documented and in conducted in accordance with policies and procedures established jointly by Chabad of Thailand and Tsunami Volunteers.
The vehicles will remain the property of Chabad of Thailand, who, at the conclusion of the relief efforts of Tsunami Volunteers, will determine the final disposition of the vehicles.