Box 9  Tsunami of Mercy  Swamps Villagers

VII Key Issues and Challenges for

Longer Term Recovery

A relief camp organizer explained, "one day we had

The tsunami raised certain issues and challenges

800 earthen stoves piling up in front of our centre,

which, while always being present in the public

almost blocking the entire street."

consciousness,  had not till then been the focus of

public attention and policy debate.  These included the

"We are thankful for all donations, but often supplies

issues of land tenure and title, the special needs of vul 

do not respond to actual needs."

nerable communities, better management of natural

resources and environment and better preparedness

Professor Anuchart Puangsamlee from Mahidol

in the face of disasters.

University said.  "The locals are now getting hit by

a second tidal wave which we might call the "Tsunami

1. Local Governance and Community Participation

of Mercy," and advised that residents in each

affected province pull together and work out

One year after the tsunami, it is now clear that the

what kind of help they need, when and how, and

recovery has been hampered by an inadequate level

petition the government with concrete proposals.

of community consultation and participation. People

have not had enough say in the building of housing, in

Source: The Nation, 18 January 2005

the planning of compensation schemes and in the

formulation of disaster preparedness plans.  It is now a

There was clearly a need to improve communication

top priority to give communities a strong voice,  pro 

to potential providers of assistance regarding assessed

mote community empowerment and strengthen social

needs and to find an acceptable method of declining

capital as a means to sustainable and longer term devel 

or redirecting unneeded contributions.

opment of affected communities.

The fact that the Government did not formally request

Local administrative organizations are mandated to

international assistance, while welcoming spontaneous

take the lead in many of the tsunami rehabilitation

gestures of generosity also created room for misunder 

efforts, ranging from repair of infrastructure to liveli 

standing, especially at the local level.  It would have

hood restoration and promotion of the local economy.

considerably eased the situation if clear cut adminis 

A key priority being addressed by the RTG is the en 

trative instructions had been issued at the outset.

hancement of the technical capacity of local adminis 

trative organizations in planning and implementation,

Another important lesson was that in the aftermath

as well as improving community consultation and

of future disasters, greater attention should be given

participation in decision making.

to vulnerable groups and protection of vulnerable

I

children against possible exposure to sexual exploitation,

In many cases, communities are not involved in local

MA

trafficking, and abuse.  Substantially more attention

administrative organizations  decision making in tsunami

NU

was required to adequately address the needs of ethnic

recovery efforts.   This is evident in the more marginalized

S T

groups and unregistered migrant workers who may

communities such as Chao Lay and Muslim communities.

EH

have been largely overlooked during the tsunami

In fact, these communities have been excluded from

 TO

response operation.

local government affairs even prior to the tsunami, both

 TE

because of their lack of understanding of their rights, and

SN

Emergency communication was another area which

because of the passive approach of some local adminis 

OP

called for improvement.  A backup emergency

trative organizations in reaching out to these commu 

SE

communications system, including local radio operators,

nities.

 R S

would have been helpful.

DN

To ensure sustainable recovery from the tsunami, it is

AIL

essential that local governance becomes more inclusive,

AH

that communities are empowered and understand

 T

their rights and the significance of their involvement

 2TR

in local administrative affairs.  At the same time, a new

PA

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