Thailand’s Disaster Relief Resources and Capacities
Introduction
In the past few decades, the disaster threats have significantly changed in
occurrence and magnitude. Hazards such as floods, landslides, droughts, fire haze, earthquakes, tsunamis and now the threat of avian flu epidemics have become more common, trans-boundary and increasingly affected lives and livelihoods of our populations. Indeed, given the death toll and socio-economic consequences, the disasters, be they natural or man-made, seriously undermines regional security such that close cooperation at disaster management need to be developed in a comprehensive manner to save lives and minimize damages. As a step towards that end, it is therefore crucial to share the information on disaster relief resource and capabilities with a view to building trust and understanding and facilitating effective relief assistance to affected countries in the region.
Disaster risks identified
In general, Thailand has moderate risk of natural and man-made hazards, with occasional occurrence of severe, large-scale disasters. The northern region terrain is mountainous which render this region to be prone to water-related disasters such as flashflood and landslide. The northeastern region, a relatively arid area, frequently suffers flashflood and inundation during rainy season, severe drought and cold spell during summer and cool season. The central region, the vast fertile land which is dubbed as the “Rice Bowl” of the country, often encounters the repeated riverine flood and urban inundation during the rainy season. The southern region terrain is hilly on the west coast and the coastal plain on the east. This part of Thailand is faced with occasional occurrences of flashflood, mudslide, tropical storm and forest fire. The 2004 tsunami catastrophe, the first in the record of our country, affected 6 provinces in this region.
In addition to climatic and geological-related disasters, Thailand has also encountered man-made disasters, including transport accidents, industrial accident, chemical spill, chemical related plant explosion, and urban fire, as the undesirable consequences of rapid progress in economic and social development. In recent years, health hazards such as avian flu have emerged as a potential cause of trans-boundary pandemic disaster, which calls for serious and proactive response from the government.
The Level of Disaster Intensity, Vulnerability, Managing Competency and Risk Levels of Thailand
Type of Disaster / Intensity Level / Vulnerability Level / Managing Competency Level /Risk Level
/Flood / High / Moderate / Moderate / High
Accident / High / Moderate / Less than moderate / High
Tropical Cyclone / High / High / Moderate / Moderate
Earthquake / Low / Low / Less than moderate / Moderate
Landslide / Moderate / Low / Less than moderate / Moderate
Drought / High / Moderate / Moderate / Moderate
Fire / High / Moderate / Moderate / Moderate
Tsunami / High / Low / Moderate / Moderate
Human Epidemics / Low / Low / Moderate / Low
Agricultural Pest and Diseases / Moderate / Low / Less than moderate / Moderate
Source : Civil Defence Plan 2005, Civil Defence Secretariat Office Ministry of Interior, Thailand
Disaster relief resources and capacities
Based on the nature of disaster risks, Thailand has developed its relief resources and capacities to address the vulnerabilities and to prepare for an effective response.
Legal framework
The Civil Defence Act of 1979 provides legal foundation for the disaster management efforts, including disaster relief. According to the Act, the government has responsibility to respond to disasters of various forms: 1) Man-made and natural disasters, 2) Disaster caused by air raid during wartime, and 3) Disaster caused by sabotage or terrorist attack. The Act stipulates the command structure at national, regional and provincial levels for disaster management and emergency response.
Organizational / command structure
1) National Civil Defense Committee (NCDC) is the primary body for
implementing the Civil Defense Act, including formulating national civil defense plan, coordinating exercise and training as well as response operations. It comprises all relevant government agencies, including Ministry of Interior (as leading agency), Ministry of Defense, National Police Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Office of National Security Council, and National Budget Bureau. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation acts as the Secretariat to the Committee.
2) Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), under the
Ministry of Interior acts as the key mechanism for directing national disaster management efforts, including response operations through coordination with its regional, provincial, municipal civil defense committees (CDCs). It also work closely with other relevant civil and military agencies at the national, provincial and local level, as well as with international organizations, NGOs, and other countries.
3) The Ministry of Defense, in close coordination with the DDPM as the national CDC, plays crucial supporting role in deploying search and rescue missions as well as providing significant military assets and personnel to the affected area, through its regional military command.
4) The list of other relevant agencies in charge of relief and response
appears in the Annex.
Organizational/Command Structure of Disaster Management according to the Civil Defence Act of 1979
National action plan /SOPs
The Civil Defence Plan provides a comprehensive operational framework for implementing the Civil Defence Act. The Plan, which was revised in 2005, includes 1) general operational guidelines for pre- and post-disaster management, as well as 2) standard operating procedures (SOPs) for prevention and response to specific disasters such as flood, windstorm, landslide, earthquake, forest fire, and disease outbreak. The Plan takes into account all relevant military and civil resources and capabilities from all stakeholders, national, provincial and local government agencies, NGOs, private sectors, and non-profit organizations.
According to the Plan, in an emergency response, the DDPM/Ministry of Interior establishes an inter-agency command centre for disaster relief in charge of disaster warning, search and rescue, communication and public relations, coordinating donation and assistance, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
In addition, in response to the emerging threats of avian flu, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives have developed an inter-agency action plan for emergency response. This serves as operational framework for civil-military operation on monitoring and early warning, prevention and response to the outbreak.
Stockpiles and relief assets
To enhance the effective emergency response, Thailand established and maintain the decentralized system of relief item stockpiles. According to the Regulation on Disaster Relief Stockpile 2004, the DDPM is to accumulate the stockpiles of relief items at its headquaters and 12 regional centers and 76 provincial offices. The stockpiles are ready for use and delivery in 24 hours. The chart below shows some of important relief items.
In addition, other relevant agencies also maintain the stockpiles of relief items for specific forms of disasters. For example, the Ministry of Defense have a large stockpile of relief items and military personnel, and assets, including transport vehicles, airports and seaports. The Ministry of Public Health maintain stockpiles of drugs and medical items. The Ministry of Agriculture has been building its stockpile of antigen and antibody against avian influenza. The Ministry of Commerce is in charge of rice reserve to be released for disaster victims.
Fund
The Disaster Emergency Relief Fund was established in 2003 to
provide financial assistance to disaster victims. According to the Regulation for the Disaster Emergency Relief Fund, budget of about USD 10 millions will be earmarked to help victims of a particular disaster (i.e. fire, windstorm, flood, drought, thunder, hail storm, forest fire, disease epidemic, unusually cold weather, terrorism and other
manmade or natural disaster).
In addition, the Thai Red Cross Society and those foundations under the Royal Patronage, for instance, always play crucial roles in mobilizing supports from private sectors.
Training and Exercise
The DDPM has established the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Academy in 2004 to serve as the national centre for training and research on disaster management, including fire fighting, building collapse, and civil defense. The Academy has developed its network through its 6 regional campuses and with other foreign partners such as the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) and JICA. A number of trainings and simulated exercises have been organized each year to strengthen the coordination with civil-military coordination.
In addition, the Ministry of Defense organizes annually with its US counterpart a joint military exercise, codenamed Cobra-Gold., in which disaster relief has been incorporated into the training, since last year. Military forces from other countries are invited to participate in the annual exercise.
One Tambon-One-Search and Rescue Team (OTOS) programme aims to establish, train and maintain one 10-member SAR team in each of the 7255 sub-districts in Thailand within 2008. The extensive training and exercise under the OTOS would ensure rapid and effective SAR operation in the local communities.
Resources for international assistance
In providing relief assistance overseas, the leading agencies are the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the DDPM, depending on the nature of the requested assistance. Below are the recent experience and commitment on relief efforts in the region and beyond.
Pakistan
In 2005, Thailand sent the assistance to Pakistan in response to the earthquake in Kashmir. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took a leading role in coordinating the dispatch of relief items and fund worth USD 1 million approximately. The military (providing C130 plane) and diplomatic representatives play crucial facilitating role.
Indonesia
In response to the earthquake in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in May 2006, the Ministry of Defense took leading role in dispatching to the affected areas 49- member military medical teams, including orthopedists, neurologists, head, ears, eyes, nose throat specialists, surgeons, and ophthalmologists. Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took lead in providing 1000 tons of rice and USD 100,000 fund.
ASEAN
Given the vulnerability of region to various forms of disaster, Thailand has been pushing forward the early establishment of ASEAN Standby Arrangements for Disaster Relief and Emergency Response to facilitate timely and effective relief efforts in the region. At the 38th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 2005, Thailand initiated the sample list of earmarked assets for the ASEAN Standby Arrangements. At the 39th AMM in 2006, ASEAN agreed to put the Standby Arrangements to full operation as soon as possible.
To that effect, Thailand and the Philippines have submitted the list of available assets and capacities to the ASEAN Secretariat, which includes emergency response/search and rescue directory, military and civil defense assets, stockpiles of disaster relief items, and disaster management experts and technologies. Thailand is now ready to revise the list to include more of military assets such as mobile medical unit, rescue vehicle, field fighting and recovery trucks, motor barge that can be transported timely by C-130, air cargo, trailer vessel. In addition, Thailand will participate in the ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Exercise (ARDEX) to be held this month in Cambodia.
UN
Thailand has strengthened its partnership with UN bodies, including UNOCHA and WFP to reinforce the capacity of the regional humanitarian community to better respond to disasters and emergencies in Asia.
Strengthening relief capacities: Recommendations on disaster preparedness
Disaster preparedness is crucial for rapid mobilization and effective execution of disaster relief and emergency response. Therefore, to strengthen the disaster relief capability, the ARF countries should consider measures for developing disaster preparedness as follows:
1) ARF Standby Arrangements constitute the strengthened linkages
between national, regional and UN standby arrangements. This can be achieved through:
a) sharing information (on bilateral and multilateral bases) on the
emergency response assets and capacities (listed, identified, earmarked), including emergency response search and rescue directory, emergency stockpiles, military and civil assets, disaster management expertise and technology.
b) developing common SOPs, integrating the UN operational
guidelines and capacities
2) Training and Exercise The role of UN, ADRC, and ADPC and
the ARF participating countries should be promoted to
a) Support the efforts of participating countries at organizing
joint civil-、military exercise.
b) Strengthening the cooperation between training and research institutions and centers of excellence in the region to organize regional training programme and workshops with a view to promoting the sharing of expertise and technologies. Emphasis should be placed on the training-the-trainers/managers programme and civil awareness.
3) Risk monitoring and early warning capabilities are closely related to and complementary to the disaster relief operations.
a) In this regard, technologies and experts on risk monitoring and
analysis need to be shared and developed.
b) Risk analysis and warning information should be shared on a real-time basis.
c) Contribution and utilization of the UNESCAP Tsunami Regional Trust Fund are encouraged. In addition, close partnership between ARF countries and the UNESCAP and other regional focal points such as ADPC should be developed to enhance the capacities and linkages of regional early warning systems.
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