When Tsunami struck Thailand on the 26th of December 2004, the Daughters of Charity kept themselves alert to the situation and helped, in a way they could, in the emergency relief assistance.

Involvement of the Daughters of Charity:

Diocese of Surat Thani- Diocesan Level:

• Member of the Special Working Team to plan and organize Rehabilitation Programs for the Tsunami victims
• Direct involvement with financial and program management of the Tsunami Response Program of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand based in Surat Thani Diocese

 Burmese Migrants

• The following services were rendered to serve the Burmese Migrants who were affected by the disaster :
  • provisions of ID’s
  • relief giving
  • medical/food supplement for children and pregnant/lactating mothers
• Learning Centers /Day Care/Nursery Centers
  • Carried out in coordination with the Grassroots Human Rights Education Program (HRE) of the Burmese.
  • The Daughters of Charity assisted in the procurement of funds, HRE oversee the program.  HRE through hired Burmese staff, does the administrative supervision of the centers.
  • The two Learning Centers (Libraries) are situated in places that are  accessible to the workers in the fishing village and rubber plantation.  They make use of these centers as meeting places, too.
  • The two Daycare Centers are now effectively operating with foreign volunteers (one Spaniard and one British, both ladies, to teach English to the children)
    • Center 1 with 35 children and
    • Center 2 with 39 children

Moken Gypsies, Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslims

• Livelihood Assistance
  • Fishing Boats/Tools and Equipment:
    • At the villages of Khok Nok (Bird Island) and Tungmapraw (a place of coconuts).  The villagers are Buddhists/Muslims and Moken Gypsies, respectively
    • The fishermen were consulted on what boats they needed, including the size to avoid wastage in the provision and/or temptation to sell them because they are not the kind needed.
      • Fishing boats and engines:
        • 6 medium sizes
        • 8 small sizes
      • 2 engines only
  • Carts for movable stalls
• 2 carts with roof and motorcycle
• 5 carts only
• Repair of 1 service car called “songtheew”
• Housing assistance was given to the residents of these villages, but participation was solicited.  Their houses of light wooden materials and coconut leaves were replaced with materials made of cement.  The Mokens are concentrated in one area of Tungmapraw.to form their own community.
  • The labor was provided by them.
  • The work was slow, but it gave them the feeling of importance for having built their own house
    • 6 Repairs/extension
    • 14 new houses built
• Educational assistance
  • The Daughters of Charity have also responded to help not only the student grantees, but the school as well.
  • A school kitchen was built in the Khok Nok Elementary School
    • Other items given
      • 12 long tables
      • 150 chairs
  • Number of students assisted:
    • 22        Elementary Level
    • 24        Secondary Level
    • 15        Vocational Courses
    • 4          University Level
• Other welfare assistance to 35 families