North Andaman Tsunami Relief
The story of NATR is different from the many organizations that came to help after the tsunami. After losing my house and job in the tsunami (to the wave of December 26, 2004), I was inspired by those around me who had lost everything, and yet dared to dream of a better future.
Since that time, NATR has been fortunate to receive support and volunteers from all over the world. The balance of international and local experience has been the key to our success. Our many projects have focused on tsunami relief and community development, including emergency needs, education, livelihoods development, and conservation.
We started by doing relief projects FOR community members, then we progressed to development projects WITH community members, now we are assisting with projects led BY community members.
In June, 2007, NATR closed several of its projects, and focused on long term needs; community based tourism, environmental education, handicrafts, scholarships, and a community center will all be managed by Andaman Discoveries.
How has NATR been able to successfully complete over 150 projects? Because, when people focus on what we have in common, great things can happen. It is our similarities, not our differences, that allow us to learn from and help each other
Two and a half year after the heartbreaking losses of December 26, hope has returned and a better future seems possible. I am grateful that so many kind people have chosen to support NATR’s mission. As I have heard so many times in the villages of the North Andaman,
“Thank you, on behalf of the Thai people.”
–Bodhi Garrett
Mission
North Andaman Tsunami Relief provides assistance to tsunami impacted coastal communities on and near Koh Phratong. We emphasize a community-driven process, and cooperate with other parties involved in the relief effort to work toward long term sustainability for these communities.
Goal
Provide emergency, mid-, and long-range assistance to ensure that tsunami survivors have access to food, education, healthcare, and can rebuild and/or diversify their livelihoods.
Objectives
1. Assessment: Engage in constant and continuous assessment with individual village members to determine need. Retain flexibility that will allow us to serve the evolving needs of villagers on an immediate basis, and fill gaps left by the highly-structured efforts of government and large aid groups.
2. Coordination and Cooperation: Work with all stakeholders, including government agencies and non-governmental relief groups, to promote effective, non-redundant aid in the villages. Share and communicate resources with all involved parties to promote the best possible solutions for villagers. Utilize local resources to invigorate the severely impacted economy.
3. Differentiated Assistance to Coastal Communities: Focus on the varied needs of different groups, including resort workers, fishermen, the Moken (sea gypsies) women, Burmese immigrants and children. Implement immediate and longer-term programs to address these needs such as short-term labour programs where community members can play a key role in the reconstruction of their villages. Where gaps exist, provide specific projects that target education, health and housing for community members.
4. Livelihood: Work with families of those that have lost their livelihoods, including employment at the resorts and fishing. Assist with the procurement of long tail boats and fishing equipment. If preliminary reports are correct and fish stocks are depleted for some time, explore and provide economic alternatives to fishing.
5. Education: Provide educational materials, books, supplies, and temporary teachers for education while schools are being rebuilt. Provide scholarships for families that are unable to afford to send their children to school.
In the wake of this tragedy, we intend to do everything we can to help these communities help themselves to get back on their feet. In cooperation with long-time local residents and local organizations such as the Hat Praphat Research Station, the on-going needs of the communities will be assessed, with attention to their long term well-being.
Partners and Alliances
Rotary International of Koh Samui and Patong Beach: Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. website
Disaster Tracking Recovery Assistance Center: An aid organization operating in southern Thailand that facilitates the coordination of Tsunami-related aid delivered by over a hundred aid agencies.
Ecotourism Training Center: A non-profit training program for Thai nationals located in Khao Lak. Their central mission begins with teaching and training young Thai people for a new career in environmental tourism.
Golden Buddha Beach Resort: A remote eco-resort set in lush tropical forest on the edge of spectacular golden sands. website
Naucrates: An NGO organization based in Italy aiming to contribute to the survival of sea turtles, conserve mangrove forests, and to help with conservation in general. website
Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand: One of Thailand’s leading advocates for nature conservation. WAR focuses on providing appropriate housing and care for animals, including gibbons, macaques, bears and tigers that have been maltreated. website
Chabad of Thailand: Chabad of Thailand has initiated educational and social programs that cater to both the local Jewish community and to the significant population of visitors, both on business and on leisure. website
Helen Doron Group: Involved with child enhancement and development services and products, bringing the world both the revolutionary Helen Doron Early English approach for teaching English as well as the unique MathRiders method of teaching Math. website
International Labour Organization (ILO): The International Labour Organization is the UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. website
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC): SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for humanitarian aid. website
United States Agency for International Development: The government agency providing U.S. economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years. website
Tour De Thailand: A charity bicycle ride by the tour de Asia Bicycle Touring Co, Ltd. website
The Tsunami Volunteer Center: A Thai-led organization, established in the aftermath of the most devastating natural tragedy of our lifetime.
Sea Dragon Dive Centre: Scuba diving in Thailand—Similan islands liveaboard dive trips around Phuket and Khao Lak.
The World Conservation Union: To influence, encourage, and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. website
Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide: One of the largest marketing communications networks in the world, servicing more Fortune Global 500 companies in five or more countries than any other agency. website
Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort: Located on Phuket’s western coast in the seclusion of its own exclusive beach, amid 40 acres of tropical greenery. website
German-Speaking Protestant Church: 75 Soi 53 Sukhumvit Klongton Nua Watthana, Bangkok
EcoClub: The International Ecotourism Club is an award-winning network for genuine ecotourism with members in over 70 countries. website
L’Oreal: The leader in cosmetics and beauty: make-up, coloration, fragrances. website
Raks Thai: Began in 1979, initially responding to the Cambodian refugee influx along the Thai borders, and eventually broadening to other sectors of development. website
Andaman Pilot Project: Team assembled by Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI) with support by UNESCO. Working with the Moken people of the Andaman Sea.
Tanglin Trust School: Students between the ages of three and 18 study an English-based curriculum in our infant, junior, and senior Schools. website
Universities
The University of Birmingham: Learning and research at the University has contributed to the advance of knowledge and its application. We are determined to continue to be at the forefront of world research well into the 21st century. website
Kasetsart University: The first university in Thailand to offer a degree program in agricultural sciences. Presently there are fourteen degree programs. website
Community-Based Tourism
Crooked Trails: A non-profit, community-based travel organization helping people broaden their understanding of the planet and its diverse cultures through education, community development and responsible travel. website
Adventure Associates: Year-round weekend getaways, high adventure summer activities, and worldwide wilderness travel. website
Go Differently: Specializing in ethical holidays, ecotourism, and responsible travel in Thailand, Cambodia, India and Bali. Sustainable tourism, ethical travel, wildlife and cultural encounters. website
Tourism Authority of Thailand: Promotes travel in Thailand, helps plan tourist areas, and supports the development of personnel in the field of tourism. website
Responsible Ecological Social Tours: REST has worked as partners with local communities in rural Thailand for over ten years realizing a vision of culturally profound and environmentally sound tourism.
Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association: TEATA’s mission is to be a leading Association of Eco-tourism and Adventure Travel in Southeast Asia
The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): Promoting responsible travel that unites conservation and communities since 1990. website
Handicrafts
Banyan Tree Phuket: Bordered by the golden sands and gentle waves of the Andaman Sea, Thailand, Banyan Tree Phuket is an oasis of peace and tranquility. website
International Business Association of Phuket (IBAP): IBAP strives to promote the collective business interests of the organization’s members and to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.
One Tambon One Product (OTOP): The “One Village One Product” movement produces goods from native culture, tradition, and locally-available resources.
Tsunami Craft Centre: Supports economic recovery for tsunami survivors who began making handicrafts in the aftermath of the disaster as a means of income generation.
Website and IT
Revolution Media: Create interactive demos, training, sales kiosks, adventure games, software utilities and more! website
Protea Development: Specializes in creating user-friendly, small- and mid-sized databases. website
Revolution Media: Create interactive demos, training, sales kiosks, adventure games, software utilities and more! website
