Thai doctors, medicines heading to Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan

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SUPER TYPHOON
Doctors, medicines heading to Philippines
THE NATION



Thai medics to man field hospital in region devastated by typhoon

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is expected to send 60 tonnes of medical supplies on an Air Force plane to the Philippines on Monday (Nov 18), with the government announcing yesterday it would initially provide Bt6 million to help people hit by Typhoon Haiyan.

Ministry permanent secretary Narong Sahamethapat said the ministry would also send three medical teams, each made up of 15 doctors, sanitation rehabilitation and mental-health experts - a total of 45 people - to set up a field hospital.

Assessing manpower

Public Health Minister Pradit Sintavanarong said the ministry would hold a meeting today (Nov 15) to ensure the medical teams are ready. Each would stay in the typhoon-hit area for two weeks, and could travel after getting confirmation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

After a meeting of agencies yesterday about aid to the Philippines, Department of International Economic Affairs chief Chutintorn Gongsakdi said that besides the Bt6 million, the Cabinet would next week consider dispatching an armed forces' C130 aircraft with supplies and necessities to aid the survivors.

Other relief items would be sent via sea freight, which would take seven days to reach the typhoon-hit country, he said.

Thailand would also send 5,000 tonnes of rice via the Asean+3 (China, South Korea and Japan) mechanism, he said. Other needed items were canned food, drinking water, body bags and tents.

Chutintorn said Thailand would work with the World Food Programme to provide aid over six months - distributing food for two months, then working on rehabilitation for four months.

Donations sought

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, meanwhile, urged organisations and people to donate money for the victims via a Krungthai Bank saving account, number 067-0-09551-6, named the "Khon Thai Song Kamlangjai Chuayleu Philippines" (Thai people sending support to aid the Philippines).

Supreme Commander General Thanasak Pratimakorn said the military was discussing the fastest way to send aid and ensure it matches the needs of Filipino victims, while the armed forces was preparing the C-130 plane with necessities.

Army commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha presented Bt930,000 to Colonel Reuben Basiao, the Philippines' defence and armed forces attache in Thailand, to help the country respond to the crisis.

Prayuth also sent a letter to the Philippine army, expressing regret at the casualties and damage caused by Haiyan and offering Thai Army support upon request.

Prayuth instructed the Army's disaster-mitigation centre to prepare medical supplies and military canine teams for search-and-rescue missions to be sent to the Philippines over the coming days.

Military engineer kits, plus others for producing drinking water, field tap-water systems and electrical generator sets were also ready if requested by the Foreign Affairs and Defence ministries, he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-15

[Robby nz]

Good, but a week to late for many who have already died of injuries, hunger and thirst.

[davehowden]

"Bt 6 million" in financial aid, wow big spenders.

[pomchop]

"Bt 6 million" in financial aid, wow big spenders.

Paltry as it is still better per capita than China with their $200 k usd contribution.....and of course there is Saudia Arabia sitting on mega billions upon billions who managed to come up with a whopping 100 k usd......a Saudi prince spends more than that on dental floss.

[jackr]

Well done... just as long as some tool doesn't come out with 'it'll boost tourism here, or similar'.

[davehowden]

Or maybe " oh good, now we can sell some rice to them"

[GentlemanJim]

I wonder how much the Philipines sent to Thailand in aid when the Tsunami hit Phuket? It is likely the Thai Government would reciprocate with a similar amount. It is however a paltry amount when you look at the devastation and will do little to ease the human suffering taking place.

Edited November 15, 2013 by GentlemanJim

[Halion]

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT. Also would this not be an opportunity to get rid of some of the rice rotting away in government warehouses. I am sure that to many hungry Filipino's it would be well received.

[spirit47]

It's a shame, the USA and Germany already there and hard working, while the Thais still planing.

[MMarlow]

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT. Also would this not be an opportunity to get rid of some of the rice rotting away in government warehouses. I am sure that to many hungry Filipino's it would be well received.

You have a very low opinion of the Philipine people to suggest that many of them would welcome donations of rotten food.

[coma]

Any help is good help when the global community bands together to assist a country at a time in need.

[noitom]

Finally! Too bad it took Thailand so long to respond to this tragic typhoon devastation in the Philippines and yet still "planning" to help. So close with all that rice and military that was born with US funding, yet it took the Thais over a week to even notice the Philippine typhoon with no news until today. Thailand should have been the first country in with military support, medicine, rice, and water. Unfortunately the Thais are so self centered and self absorbed, there has not even been any headline news about the typhoon since it hit the Philippines.It's better late than never, but Thais should start thinking of others in emergencies like this. What goes around comes around.

[noitom]

Well done... just as long as some tool doesn't come out with 'it'll boost tourism here, or similar'.

Some Thai probably did mention that it might impact tourism which is why you haven't heard anything about it until today a week late. It's a shame.

[mimi9000]

It's not a simple matter of anybody wanting to ... to just jump on a plane and go to the Philippines to help (which i highly suspect none of you have ever thought of doing as a reality). The Philippine government is orchestrating arrivals of all incoming services and supplies. It is necessary to be done orderly, otherwise, even a

doctor for example,could jump on a plane and land in Manila, without prior knowledge of how or if it is possible to arrive at a needy area, as commerical flights are disabled to areas in worst need. Then the doctor would wander around the airport and ask parties how to catch a boat or helicopter, and to exactly where...

Foreigners to Philippines are doing what they can in the order in which it can be done, in coordination with what the Philppine government is able to help organize

for a useful arrival there.

[mimi9000]

I am a doctor, and have learned these things with the contacts i have made to go there.

[Lancelot]

Good, but a week to late for many who have already died of injuries, hunger and thirst.

I was thinking the same thing- Thailand lost a chance to be first on the scene with aid. Of course, that assumes the Philippines government would have allowed them to help. Some times no good deeds go unpunished...

Thailand craves international respect and responding rapidly to regional human disasters would certainly embellish its reputation.

And they do have a surplus of rice to spare

By the way, Thailand pledged 6 million baht, but that's less than $200,000 US; a bit light no?

[thaimlord]

Good, but a week to late for many who have already died of injuries, hunger and thirst.

Jesus you can't stop some people moaning, can you?

Did it occur to you that there is some co-ordination going on? And that you can't send medical teams into areas that you can't transport into? Apparently the place is finally able to accept various forms of aid.

Also, looking at the NZ in your username, the New Zealanders are only just now sending aid in themselves via a Hercules plane filled with supplies. Too late?

TL

[Rorri]

A bonus for Thailand, now they can off load all expired medication, some of which they handed to their own people can couple of weeks ago.

[winstonc]

Good, but a week to late for many who have already died of injuries, hunger and thirst.

Jesus you can't stop some people moaning, can you?

Did it occur to you that there is some co-ordination going on? And that you can't send medical teams into areas that you can't transport into? Apparently the place is finally able to accept various forms of aid.

Also, looking at the NZ in your username, the New Zealanders are only just now sending aid in themselves via a Hercules plane filled with supplies. Too late?

TL

the point posters are making is that thailand havnt even said anything concerning the disaster..until now..quick at making anouncements.on everything else.thats the point..nothing to do with nz,uk,us etc thai forum thai topic..

Edited November 15, 2013 by winstonc

[Bagwan]

It's a shame, the USA and Germany already there and hard working, while the Thais still planing.

The planning should have been done ages ago. I suppose it is a bit much to expect any Thai to look further ahead than the end of his nose, or where the next meal, or bribe, is coming from. Pro activism and contingency planning couldn't get a visa I assume.

[graemeaylward]

Sometimes this site causes me to despair of us ExPats! A few days ago, posters were bleating that Thailand was doing nothing for the Phillipines. Now that a considered approach is being made, it is still not good enough! Thailand is a POOR country and has little to give.

This disaster is on a huge scale and the after effects will be felt for years. It is estimated that the death toll could rise to 10,000 and that the typhoon has already effected 11.3 million people in the Phillipines. How many of you have been to a disaster area and witnessed the absolute chaos which ensues. I have and can assure you that only with co-ordination and planning will rescue efforts prove successful. The co-ordination is now beginning to pay off and effected areas are being reached with food, water and shelter thanks to the UN and other relief agencies.

I hope all those posters who have been critical, both on this thread and previous threads have dug deep into their pockets and sent a contribution to one of the official aid agencies. We all live very cheaply in this wonderful country and many have money to spare. £100 is not a fortune to us but could help several Fillipinos to survive.

If every one of us Ex Pats gave as much as we can afford this month we can then, and ONLY then criticise others.

If you don't know how to donate, please go to World Vision website.

[kuiburi]

Good to hear Thailand sends help . And well co-ordinated "15 doctors, sanitation rehabilitation and mental-health experts - a total of 45 people - to set up a field hospital.".

This is the help the people need now .

Next step for the years to come would be engineers and expert construction workers .

I wish the teams good luck and succes .

[marell]

"Bt 6 million" in financial aid, wow big spenders.

But still... twice the amount donated by China.

Edited November 15, 2013 by marell

[sunshine51]

Sometimes this site causes me to despair of us ExPats! A few days ago, posters were bleating that Thailand was doing nothing for the Phillipines. Now that a considered approach is being made, it is still not good enough! Thailand is a POOR country and has little to give.

This disaster is on a huge scale and the after effects will be felt for years. It is estimated that the death toll could rise to 10,000 and that the typhoon has already effected 11.3 million people in the Phillipines. How many of you have been to a disaster area and witnessed the absolute chaos which ensues. I have and can assure you that only with co-ordination and planning will rescue efforts prove successful. The co-ordination is now beginning to pay off and effected areas are being reached with food, water and shelter thanks to the UN and other relief agencies.

I hope all those posters who have been critical, both on this thread and previous threads have dug deep into their pockets and sent a contribution to one of the official aid agencies. We all live very cheaply in this wonderful country and many have money to spare. £100 is not a fortune to us but could help several Fillipinos to survive.

If every one of us Ex Pats gave as much as we can afford this month we can then, and ONLY then criticise others.

If you don't know how to donate, please go to World Vision website.

Or look up the Philippine Red Cross on the internet...they're the organisers of the massive

aid programme for the typhoon victims.

[10Yen]

I saw the title of this thread in The Thailand News section and wondered how some ThaiVisa members could turn this into a Thai bashing thread, they didn't disappoint. I find it quite incredible that some of the anti Thai zealots have chosen to live in Thailand, have Thai families yet put Thai people and Thailand down at every given opportunity.

Edited November 15, 2013 by 10Yen

[SantiSuk]

"Bt 6 million" in financial aid, wow big spenders.

But still... twice the amount donated by China.

It was reported on Asia Channel News this morning that the Chinese had been embarrassed into offering $1.5 m now. It was also commented that China and Philippines are at loggerheads over some islands in the North Philippines (aka South China) Sea!

The British Government pledged about £15 million (or might have been $15m, cant remember) and the British public have donated £30 million ($45 m) over the first 3 days of a public appeal.

{Nothing wrong with stimulating a bit of competitive donating while expressing pride (for once) in being a Brit}

Edited November 15, 2013 by SantiSuk