Search and Rescue

disaster response.  The operation has provided an

opportunity for all countries involved to enhance

Military personnel from many countries, professional

technical data, identification methods, and learn from

SAR teams, volunteers, divers, and many others supported

each other.   The lessons relating to the resource implica 

the SAR operations. The US Navy and the USAID Office

tions and procedural requirements will prove invalu 

of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) worked

able should a similar need present itself in the future.

closely with Thai military units to support the search

The international DVI response has led to other longer 

and rescue operations using their special flat bottomed

term cooperation agreements.  The Royal Thai Police and

riverine boats to search for bodies in estuaries, mangrove

the Australian Federal Police have recently signed a

swamps, and island coves. 

70

  Units of the Japan Self

Memorandum of Understanding on Transnational

Defence Force dispatched three vessels   two Destroy 

Crime and Developing Police Cooperation.  This agree 

ers and one supply ship   with shipboard helicopters

ment will allow law enforcement cooperation in hu 

and personnel; SAR missions with experts from Japan's

manitarian circumstances.   The U.S. Government and

Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA), Police,

the RTG have signed a grant agreement for USD1.5

MOFA and JICA conducted SAR operations in the affected

million on 30 September 2005, to support the TTVI

area with helicopters, and provided transportation

operations.

assistance.

71

Humanitarian Assistance

Disaster Victim Identification

The RTG did not appeal for assistance, unlike the other

The massive post disaster forensic operation was

countries in the region struck by the tsunami. Relief sup 

supported by a number of DVI teams from more than

plies poured in, notwithstanding.   Thailand's rapid and

30 countries. On the request of the RTG, the Australian

helpful decision to allow the use of U Tapao military

Federal Police (AFP) took a leading role in coordinating

base as the hub for relief supplies bound for Sri Lanka

the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process.  A Forward

and Indonesia, in addition to Thailand, saved thou 

Command Post was established in Phuket and three

sands of lives in the tsunami affected countries.

mortuary sites set up.  The Australian Government

engaged the services of Kenyon International, a disaster

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC), as well as emergency

management company, to support the efforts of the

medical teams from many countries, assisted the RTG

Australian Federal Police DVI team on the ground in

in dealing with the medical needs of the survivors,

Phuket, and the repatriation of remains of victims.

surveillance for communicable diseases, and health

S

Kenyon's role was expanded to support the entire

assessments.

REN

international DVI effort in Thailand at a cost of USD12.2

TR

million.  Many countries agreed to contribute to the

Reconstruction Support to Livelihoods, Housing,

A

costs. Three hundred and nine AFP officers have been

Childcare and Education

L PA

deployed to Phuket since the tsunami.   As of 31 October

N

2005, 11 still remained in Phuket, assisting with the TTVI

Countries provided assistance to affected communities,

IOTA

process.

72 

 Teams made up of medical specialists from

complementing the efforts of the RTG. Several countries

NR

the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), and US Armed

including Canada, France, the Netherlands, Austria and

ET

Forces experts were also deployed to Thailand to as 

USA, provided help in the repair and construction of

 IN

sist with victim identification.  A US forensic anthro 

boats and building boatyards, furniture making, aqua

F O

pologist led the scientific committee, providing advice

farming, and internships with national institutions to

N

on DNA collection and other technical matters.

train students in boat  and house building.

IOTUIB

The unprecedented DVI response to the tsunami has

The EC, under the ongoing Coastal Habitats and

RT

assisted the International DVI community in improving

Resources Management (CHARM) project in Southern

NO CEH T 3

70

 USA Contribution to Tsunami One Year Later Report, November, 2005

TR

71

 Japan Contribution to Tsunami One Year Later Report, November, 2005

72

PA

 Australia Contribution to Tsunami One Year Later Report, November, 2005

50