• Salvos respond to Asian floods
Salvation Army teams are actively responding to recent severe floods in northen Thailand and Myanmar.
Thailand
Nearly 250,000 people have been affected by the floods, including and estimated 100,000 children. The Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Chiang Mai districts are among the hardest-hit.
The Salvation Army in Thailand is helping 500 families in Chiang Rai by providing essential clean water, food and bedding until the end of the year.
More than 100 injuries have been reported, as well as two deaths. The floods and landslides have caused widespread damage to almost 5900 households, livelihoods and to critical infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, water sources, highways and bridges.
In some parts of the Chiang Rai region, water levels have started to recede. However, significant challenges remain as many residents are unable to return home. Flooded roads and downed power lines are hindering communication and recovery efforts.
The Salvation Army’s research and development officers, in collaboration with corps officers from the Chiang Mai Corps and the social services coordinator, have found a dire situation, with severe shortages of drinking water, staple foods and shelter.
The Salvation Army is committed to working with local leaders and community members to address the most urgent needs and aid the recovery of the affected populations.
Myanmar
In early September, the people of Myanmar were subjected to floods caused by heavy monsoon rains and the remnants of Typhoon Yagi.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 300 deaths and nearly 100 injuries have been reported.
The Salvation Army in Myanmar is assisting 600 families affected by the floods by providing food parcels, bedding, drinking water and nutritional support. In addition to food assistance, The Salvation Army is also extending its support to 100 families by providing vital household items, such as blankets, mosquito nets, solar lights and mattresses.
The ongoing flooding in nine states and regions affected nearly 890,000 people, including an estimated 270,000 children. In response, The Salvation Army is actively supporting some of the most heavily impacted areas and communities.
The ongoing flooding poses a significant threat by exacerbating the crisis of waterborne diseases. Numerous schools have been forcibly closed or repurposed as shelters, severely limiting access to education for thousands of children. Furthermore, this disaster is inflicting considerable emotional and psychological stress on both children and their caregivers, fundamentally undermining their well-being.
The Salvation Army will adhere to the principles of the Humanitarian Charter, particularly the people’s right to life with dignity, their right to receive humanitarian assistance, and their right to protection and security.
IHQ Communications based reports by Captain Jevry Ambitan, Project and Finance Administrator of International Emergency Services
