Thailand (MNN) — Thailand's Public
Health Ministry's latest report indicates the death toll for the flooding stands
at 31, with over 27,000 others sickened.
The country's
northern and northeastern provinces were hit by storms and heavy rains which
exacerbated already flooded areas. A ministry contact with Vision Beyond Borders in the refugee camps writes, "This has greatly affected the Karen refugee
camps where we have two of our Children's Homes. Rice supplies in the camp have been destroyed.
Hundreds of refugees lost their homes and belongings. Roads to the refugee
camp were washed away by landslides; the only way to get to this camp is by
boat."
Thailand's
Prime Minister visited the hardest-hit areas and warned that more flash
flooding was possible in at least five Sukhothai districts, areas through which
the Yom River flows. The flooding also
destroyed food supplies and fields, which could spell trouble later on.
VBB's partner
goes on to say that "for a while, there was no food and other supplies
going to both camps, but they just started sending trucks again. I will be
going with some friends to visit, bringing food and clothes soon. We will try
to take a boat from here; I don't know if they will let us, since there is still
a lot of fighting going on around these camps, as well. We would be facing
Burmese soldiers on the river."
Although the
Children's Homes are still standing, the caretaker of the Children's Home
lost his house and belongings to the high water. Although
he was given some bamboo to start rebuilding, it is not enough. VBB has already sent funds to help him build
a new home.
The team senses an increasing urgency to
finish filling the container and get it on its way to the refugees. Funds they're sending will help their contacts send rice and medical supplies to the camps. Their goal is to serve the worldwide church
by providing the resources for their partners to fulfill Christ's Great
Commission in Thailand.
