Thailand floods – updates from Peuan Peuan

by Friends-International · October 12, 2011

More on how the floods in SE Asia are affecting our project areas.

In Thailand, where our Peuan Peuan program is based in Bangkok, the worst flooded areas are Sapansiri Community and the Kredtrakan Protection and Occupational Development Center, a shelter for girls. These areas are located close to the Chaopraya River, and have been seriously affected by floodwaters.

In Sapansiri Community, the municipality and local authorities have evacuated more than 300 people including children from the community and placed them in the school opposite (schools are currently on vacation). They are safe for the time being and have access to food and medical care. However, our Home Based Production income generating initiative with the families has been interrupted by the flooding.

Friends in Flooded Sapansiri

There has been little impact yet upon the two Prakred shelters that Peuan Peuan work in, so our teams continue to carry out work in these shelters. The Peuan Peuan team is in close contact with staff from the Kredtrakan center, but regular activities have been put on hold until further notice from the shelter.

Outreach work on the streets of central Bangkok continues, but warnings from the Government and BMA are that the situation is expected to deteriorate. Street living children and youth have left the pier area (which is where they normally live and sleep) to move to higher ground in the Sapanput area. For now, they are relatively safe and have hotline contact with our teams if needed.

Flooded Sapansiri

Away from the city, the border project at Aranyaprathet has been affected, as can be seen from our earlier photographs. The situation is expected to worsen when the provincial authorities in Sra Kaew release built up water from dams and reservoirs at the end of this week. Our team there is in close contact with key persons in all areas including ChildSafe street and communities members, monitoring the situation to ensure that the children and families are safe and get support if needed.

You can see more photos here on our Facebook page.