Background

The lives of many Thai children changed dramatically after the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami hit Southern Thailand's coastline.  In  July 2006 it was discovered that the well-being of many of these children was still unknown, and although many had received help and were living in a safe environment, others may still be vulnerable and open to neglect.

Throughout Thailand there was an estimated 2,300-2,500 Thai tsunami orphans and an estimated 1,000 unrecorded migrant tsunami orphans.  During our Tsunami Orphans research project we discovered that much of the information recorded about the children was limited or had changed since it was last compiled immediately after the Tsunami occured.  In addition, official figures varied between government and aid organisations due to a lack of standardisation in recording, different definitions of what constitutes an orphan and issues of legal status concerning migrant children.

 

Methodology

Our objective was to track each and every child orphaned by the December 2004 tsunami and establish their current status.
 
Working with the Thai Social Department of Human Securities (SDHS), UNICEF, and other local partners, ChildTRAC located each child orphaned in the 2004 Tsunami.
After the child’s school, institution, residence or placement was located, we contacted their caregiver and/or teacher to arrange a time to interview both the child and relevant adults together and then seperately. Specially trained staff were sent with our Speak Out Kit (SOK) assessment tool to help them determine the wellbeing of the child. Their findings were then compiled into a standardised database which was later sent to UNICEF to follow up on.
 

Geographical scope

ChildTRAC traced children in the six directly affected tsunami provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun. As well as located children in indirectly affected provinces across Thailand.