Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bangkok (Fides Service) - “I must say that the country is united”, Spanish Jesuit Alfonso de Juan, 40 years on mission in Thailand, told Fides. “Thailand reacted quickly and efficiently”, the missionary said. “The day after the disaster the Prime Minister visited affected areas and emergency processes were put in motion. Political parties agreed to work together for the common good without political propaganda. Within two days all the different public service departments were ready to deal with the disaster”. The programme of relief aid and rehabilitation proceeds full steam. “Special teams Thai and non are working in the affected area including Australian teams helping to extract the DNA of unidentified corpses”.
“Many people were killed and thousands of survivors lost homes, boats, shops, livelihood. Economic and material damages are inestimable”. Interpreters are needed in Bangkok hospitals where many non Thais are being treated: “Our Superior, Father Martín Suhartono SJ, Indonesian of Chinese origin speaks various languages including German, and he offered to act as an interpreter and to counsel stricken visitors, psychological treatment is most important for traumatised persons” Father Alfonso said.
For the moment efforts focus mainly on providing help for the survivors, treatment for persons injured and traumatised, identifying and preserving the DNA of corpses which are then buried according to local religious traditions. Another urgency is to provide clean water and remove corpses from under the debris as soon as possible.
A centre for foreigners in search of family members or friends missing since the disaster has been opened by Thammasat Rangsit University situated near the airport not far from Bangkok. The centre, equipped with fax, computer, e-mail and photographic services is manned by personnel from Bangkok embassies and local people. Updated reports on developments in rescue work and assistance programmes are supplied regularly by national radio, television and press.
“Most people are wearing black or other dark colours as a sign of mourning. Many new year festivities and parties were cancelled and people are contributing generously to aid campaigns started by a number of banks” Father Alfonso told Fides.
Religious communities have added their prayers for the victims. Catholics gathered for special prayers in the cathedral in Bangkok and in churches in the main cities in the south of the country.
Six provinces western coastal area of Thailand were affected by the tsunami an estimated 8,000 persons including many European tourists were reported dead.
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/1/2004 righe 46 parole 458)
