Programmes

1. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE HIT BY THE 26/12/2004 TSUNAMI
Interventions in favour of children in vulnerable and risky conditions

Following the devastating tidal wave on 26 December 2004, which caused in Thailand more than 5,000 victims, the Italian Cooperation, through the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok, was engaged in carrying out several interventions to help the affected people.

With a budget of 900.000 Euro, the programme in Thailand, starting in June 2005, was characterized by a post-emergency strategy and focuses on children.

The project activities were concentrated in Phang nga, Ranong, Phuket and Krabi Provinces which were hardly hit. In addition to answer the urgent needs connected to the post-emergency phase, the projects took an approach in structural improvement of the conditions and services. The reconstruction activities were considered also an opportunity to reach and improve the living conditions of the communities which were already difficult even before the Tsunami.

4 projects were completed, implemented directly by the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok, for a total amount of about EUR 160.000:

1. In Phuket Province, Pha Maprao locality in the Ban Sapam Village (inhabited by Thailandese and Moken people), the project of "Rehabilitation of dwellings and social-environmental requalification" was implemented in a degraded area not far from the city of Phuket. The project involves the rehabilitation of 54 houses, the construction of hygienic services and the environmental recovery in the area, with cleaning activities done in collaboration with local Authorities and also the building of a recreation area for numerous children living there. The interested zone, not far from the city of Phuket, is a semi-occupied community of the "gypsy of the sea".

2. In collaboration with Nadia Association, the project "Training Activities for Psycho-Social Workers" has been realized: it included activities for support and revival implemented by local social staff working in this village and in other 7 coastal localities in Phang-Nga and Phuket Provinces.

3. In Ranong Province, the "Rehabilitation and Improvement of School Services of Koh Lao" was implemented. It is a small island where two groups oh Thai fishermen and "Morgan" are living.

4. Another project "Support for School Reopening at Koh Phi Phi", aimed at service reintegration for children, was conducted together with the Provincial Department of Education in Krabi and the school on the Phi Phi Island. The activity has contributed to the reopening and, in particular, to the restoring of the electric system and to the supplying of furniture for classrooms and educational materials.

5. The important topics related to the increasing risks for children in emergency situation were the center of a 4-day regional seminar, organized in Phuket by the Italian Cooperation with technical support of ECPAT International, on the title "Protection of Children from Exploitation and Sexual Violence in Emergency Situation and Disasters. Lessons during the Tsunami in Asia". The results of the seminar are now elaborated and published in an operative manual available on the web site of Ecpat (www.ecpat.net).


• REHABILITATION OF SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR FAMILIES IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES HIT BY THE TSUNAMI (TERRE DES HOMMES)
    The project aimed at the improvement of social service offered to children and at the preparation of policies for rehabilitation in medium/long terms in close collaboration with provincial institutions and schools. The Project, started in July 2005, finished in May 2006, with the full satisfaction of the local autorities and the beneficiaries, whole year of activity which has permitted to support 14 school-community groups (2800 students)through three courses of action.
Funding: EUR 350.520

• PROTECTION OF MINORS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE SOCIAL GROUPS HIT BY THE TSUNAMI (ISCOS)
    The specific objects of the project, promoted by the NGO Iscos, are the direct, or through the families, assistance to children at the risk of exploitation, following the tidal wave of December 2004.
The project has been completed in August 2006.
Funding: EUR 278.900

• Project funded by the Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory – “CRATER”: COASTAL RISK ANALYSIS OF TSUNAMI ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION
    CRATER is a general approach to manage emergency efforts following tsunami events. This tool is applicable in many parts of the world with respect to the analysis of the coastal risks arising from tsunami impacts.
    The project completed in June 2006, thanks to a funding of EUR 1.003.000


2. PROJECTS OF DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

• CHILDREN OF THE SEA: REQUALIFICATION OF SMALL-SCALE FISHERIES MICRO-ENTERPRISES AND ECOSYSTEM-BASED INNOVATION OF ACQUATIC PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THAI COASTAL COMMUNITIES PHANG-NGA AND KRABI (TERRE DES HOMMES)
    This project, 49% funded by Italy and 51% by UE, is in favor of fishermen communities on the south-east coast and is conducted by "Terre des Hommes-Italia" non-governmental organization. The production and export of seafood were the main driving factors of Thai development, but the excessive efforts of commercial fishery deeply spoiled the eco-system regeneration capacity, opening a relevant structural crisis of the whole sector. The project restarts concrete opportunities for re-conversion of productive systems towards a better bio-economic efficiency (productivity of the resources) in a wider vision of "sustainable cultivation of the sea". The project emphasizes 4 main areas: information, education, access to the market, technique assistance. Beneficiaries of this programme are local fishing communities in Phang Nga and Krabi Provinces. 
    The initiative, a 3-year project (2004-2006), takes on great importance especially after the tidal wave hit the Region on 26th December 2004. In fact, the project has been taken as a model for several initiatives undertaken by the international donor countries in favor of fishermen community after the Tsunami, and its operating methods have been widely replicated. So far the Project has organized and strengthened an association of hundreds fishermen in various villages operating both as a commercial network and as a centre of technical and financial services for the members. The reconversion of the fishing into maricolture , with hundreds of operators supported by new sea facilities for fish and shellfish and by little start-up credits, has been particularly emphasized. After the development of various market places in the villages is currently under construction the central district market place that will supply all the district coastal villages. Moreover, the Project supports various schools of the Phang Nga Bay in order to stabilize the school-attendance rate (free meal) and the improvement of the educational services for the fishermen communities (introduction  of a pilot marine curriculum).
Funding (2004-2006): EUR 1.577.891,51
Contribution of Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs: EUR 774.685,35

• CENTRES OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR MYANMAR REFUGEES IN THAILAND (UNHCR)
    The conditions of the Myanmar refugees in Thailand have aroused a large response at international level, both from government institutions and from numerous NGOs, which have realized how the conditions of Burmans lodged in the refugee camps are often extremely difficult. In the past few months, Thai Government has maintained his willingness to look for specific solutions, focusing on the creation of educational facilities and employment opportunities. 
    The Italian cooperation has granted a voluntary contribution to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) for its initiative “Centres of legal assistance for the Myanmar refugees in Thailand”. The Project fits into the larger diplomatic action Italy has been carrying on about the Myanmar issue; besides approaching practically real necessities of a part of the Myanmar population, an Italian aid to the Myanmar refugees also contributes in supporting the resolution of Italy to carry on initiatives of different kinds for the identification of a solution to the political problems of Myanmar.Funding: EUR 685.398


3. PROJECTS OF CULTURAL – ARCHAEOLOGICAL COOPERATION

• LOPBURI PROVINCE CULTURAL HERITAGE MASTER PLAN (IsIAO)
    The project is intended to preserve and to enhance the value of the cultural heritage of the province of Lopburi, one of the richest areas in Thailand in terms of archaeological sites and monuments, specifically at the risk of destruction. The development plan is set out in different components: creation of a computerized archives of the sites, survey of the institutional gear and of the tourist flows in proportion with the local resources, archaeology, museology, restoration, requalification of the monumental area.
    The project has received several fundings over the years: in 2006 a funding of EUR 10.000 has been allocated by the Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory. In 2007 the project received a funding of 10.000 Euro. 

 

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