Aid distribution continues as Thai floodwaters persist for weeks

Children in Thailand are at greater risk of water-borne disease and other hazards as floodwater continue to inundate vast areas of the country, including parts of its capital Bangkok.

The official death toll due to the floods stands at 527, of which more than 60 have been children. Over 11 million people have been affected by the flooding since the end of July.

The murky floodwater provide an ideal breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes increasing the risk of dengue. Water-borne diseases can bring about severe diarrhoea and leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water.

It has been critical for flood survivors to have access to clean water, and avoid drinking possibly corrupted tap water or washing their vegetables in floodwater.

Natasha Cheung, World Vision’s Emergency Communicator, says: “The main causes of death are drowning, water-borne diseases and electrocution.

Additional dangers include vector-borne diseases like leptospirosis, a disease spread by rat urine, and injury from floating debris.

“In a city like Bangkok as much as 9,000 tonnes of rubbish is generated each day and has to be disposed of. During floods like this, sewage systems get flooded, so sanitation becomes a really dangerous problem.

Millions of livestock have also perished, so diseases spread by decomposing carcasses are a huge concern.”

The world’s attention has been focused on Bangkok; however central regions to the north of Bangkok have been under water for over two months.

Authorities say it will take at least a month to completely drain out the water from the city. They will also face the challenge of dealing with the accumulated garbage.

World Vision is distributing aid by boat and prioritizing distribution to the most vulnerable and severely impacted in areas yet to receive Government help.

Over 53,000 people have received aid from World Vision, including receiving emergency relief kits containing rice, noodles, tinned fish, cooking oil, fresh water and hygiene products.

Mosquito nets, water filters and toys are also being distributed. Communal kitchens have been set up as have six child-friendly spaces, which cater to the educational, psychological and recreational needs of children.

World Vision has raised some USD 1.2 million, but aims to raise more than USD 2 million for immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts.