Terminal report: THA/05/001

In depth assessment of mangroves & other coastal forests affected by the tsunami in southern Thailand

After the tsunami disaster in the south, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources conducted a quick damage assessment on mangroves without covering other coastal forests. For setting the rehabilitation programmes on an integrated coastal area ecosystem management, it has become necessary to carry out a scientific in-depth assessment on the damage and disaster mitigation functions of mangroves and other coastal forests. The project envisages improving the livelihood security of local communities through better land use planning with buffer zones, environment conscious natural resource utilization, and a supply of public awareness information useful for the promotion of environment friendly development programmes in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and education sectors. To achieve the objectives, the project provided standard set of GIS facility with essential hardware and software required for this purpose to the Mangrove Research and Development (MRD) Station under the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) in Phuket and Phang-Nga and the survey equipments to six MRD Stations of the tsunami effected provinces with an aim to facilitate them to undertake the necessary survey on the subject matter. Series of trainings were provided to those concerned officials to gain sufficient operational and application skills of the RS/GIS system. In-dept studies were conducted under the Letter of Agreement (LOA) with specialized national institutions. The studies included in-depth study on damage to mangroves and other coastal forests and assessment of the economic values of the mitigation functions and launched public awareness programmes on the ecological and economic functions of these forests, e.g. buffer zones, biodiversity conservation, income sources, etc. The human capacity building and development work is a long-term endeavour, and this is especially true in the field of RS/GIS. The trained trainees should receive more advanced training courses on RS/GIS, while the same time, their attained basic knowledge and operational skills on RS/GIS should be practiced through their routine work. Disseminating the research results and GIS/RS usage in future land use planning and propagation of the awareness of the forest functions to the local officers, students and general public should be further promoted with a strong support by MNRE/DMCR and the provincial administration.

The GIS system needs proper maintenance service. DMCR should allocate a budget for the maintenance work. The project worked closely with the concerned provincial government authorities, local communities, universities and NGOs by providing them with scientific findings and guidelines in order to improve the coastal forest management systems. It was also essential that the outcomes from this project should be shared with other related projects, such as the Andaman Strategic Plan supported by UNDP, through a possible sharing and exchanging of information, etc. for the future formulation of coastal natural resource management policies and programmes under a concerted effort. The important outputs from the national workshop was the formulation of long-term rehabilitation framework and action plan for the tsunami-affected coastal forests and development for livelihood in the southern provinces of Thailand which would serve as a common platform and goals for concerted follow up actions. It is suggested that FAO should take leading role in liaising with the Government for the operationalization of the action plan.

The project successfully attained the main objectives and specific project outputs. By carrying out an in-depth assessment of mangroves and other coastal forests affected by the tsunami, the project provided first-hand information on the damage to mangroves and other coastal forests, and their protective functions. The project did not have time enough to study and conclude long-term effects on damaged forest, biological diversity recovery process, etc., but coastal forests are in a good recovery process in many places.

Trainings on the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (RS/GIS) and associated GIS equipment provided to the local researchers and extension officials of the DMCR would enhance technical capacities of those officials in the provincial level to undertake such an integrated coastal land use planning and forest ecosystem management. The studies on assessment of the economic values of the damage to mangroves and other coastal forests brought about significant information on the value of natural resources and balance of eco-system of which the community and the tourist awareness were emphasized. Moreover, provision to local communities, government offices, schools and NGOs with a set of ...

Final Report on Emergency Assistance Project to Provide Boat Engines and Fishing Equipment to Small Scale Fishermen in the Six Andaman Provinces Affected by the Natural disaster (Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun) (LOA/RAP/2005/21)

FAO /OCHA/UNDP/THA/05/002: Assistance to the tsunami-affected fishing communities in southern Thailand.

The emergency assistance project THA/05/002 executed by FAO and funded through UNDP provided boat engines and fishing equipment to small scale fishermen in the six provinces affected by the tsunami (Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun). The equipment provided were 400 Yanmar 11.5 HP boat engines including boat engine platforms and long-tail propeller shafts and 30 Honda 5.5 HP boat engines. The boat engines were provided to previously selected fisher folk groups which distributed them to group members on loan and created group revolving funds. Group members had to follow group regulations and had to repay the cost of the boat engines and equipment to the group. The groups deposited repayment funds in each group’s bank account, which was established specifically as revolving funds for the boat engines and fishing equipment over a period of approximately three years. Each group established a committee to manage the revolving fund in accordance with the nature and regulations of each group.

The FAO/UNDP project; THA/05/002 provided the boat engines and equipment to each of the fisher folk groups, and the chairman of each group signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). The Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Office in each province acted as the MOAC representative. The MOAC and FAO have been assured through signed MOU that the groups would distribute the boat engines and equipment, that the groups would operate the revolving funds diligently and fairly and that distribution of boat engines and equipment would be used in accordance with the desires of the group for the benefit of the community to the maximum extent possible so that they may continue their traditional small scale fishing lifestyle. Members selected to receive equipment signed a lease-purchase agreement with the group management to repay the cost of the boat engine and equipment to the group so the funds can be loaned to other members or be used for the common benefit of the community.

The engagement of the Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT) to the project activities was formalized through the signature of the Letter of Agreement (LOA) with FAO (LOA/RAP/2005/21) which was signed on 6 September 2005.

Under the LOA, WFT under took the tasks: 1) to assist the local communities and Government in the identification of fisher folk groups and end user beneficiaries based on the established selection criteria, and certify the lists of beneficiaries, 2) to provide technical and operational assistance to the selected fisher folk groups in the management of revolving fund under the cost recovery programme of the project, 3) to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the project and the selected fisher folk beneficiary groups and assist in the preparation of the Lease Agreement of boat engines between the leader of group and the individual beneficiary, 4) to witness the distribution of project inputs, 5) to monitor the progress, report emerging issues and propose solutions to problems and report the impacts of the cost recovery programme (revolving funds), and 6) to monitor the appropriate use of the project inputs by the selected groups for the effective income-generation and sustainable coastal resource management.

Japan/FAO joint emergency assistance to support the affected rural farming communities in earthquake/tsunami-affected areas in Southern Thailand

OSRO/THA/502/JPN

As a result of the tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 across South Asia, six provinces in Southern Thailand were severely affected leaving a death toll of over 5 000 people and tens of thousands of displaced persons. In the agricultural sector approximately 1 200 farmers suffered damages to their farmland. Immediately after the tsunami, a joint needs assessment mission was undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) to assess the damages and emergency rehabilitation needs in the fisheries, agriculture and livestock sectors.

In order to assist the Government’s efforts for a rapid re-establishment of sustainable income generating activities and in response to the FAO Flash Appeal, the Government of Japan contributed US$77 000 in support of project OSRO/THA/502/JPN, entitled “Japan/FAO joint emergency assistance to support the affected rural farming communities in earthquake/tsunami affected areas in Southern Thailand”. The project provided inputs to small-holding farmers in the affected provinces who had lost their production assets and the means to support their livelihood. The project was implemented from 17 January 2005 to 16 July 2005. The project was jointly executed by FAO and the MOAC of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand. A Project Steering Committee was established to provide guidance with overall project coordination. The Committee reviewed and approved a Plan of Operations and Work Plan and nominated a National Project Coordinator responsible for coordinating the project at department and ministry level. Field level project activities were implemented by FAO staff in cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Extension, with assistance from implementing nongovernmental organizations.

The project provided agriculture and soil reclamation related inputs including gypsum, organic fertilizer and oil palm seedlings to 5041 vulnerable farmers in 23 tambons, 9 districts and 3 provinces (Phang-Nga, Phuket and Satun) affected by the tsunami. Beneficiaries were able to renew crop production through the application of gypsum and organic fertilizers that helped to improve soil structure and facilitate the leaching of excess salts. Tree crops such as oil palm, rubber and coconut, showed a positive response through enhanced growth due to the application of gypsum and organic fertilizers to the soil. The project also facilitated the farmers to initiate the production of organic fertilizers and compost by themselves for the promotion of organic farming.

The timely support provided by FAO was appreciated by the beneficiaries who were able to re-activate farming activities, producing food for household consumption and generating income from sales of surplus yields. The project assisted the Government’s efforts in the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector affected by sea-water intrusion and facilitated with capacity-building measures through the establishment of a “learning center” where training and technical advice was given. The project also helped to strengthen relations between Government authorities, local community representatives, NGOs and other partners, ensuring that future projects in Southern Thailand will have greater participation and sustainability. Although the project provided inputs for soil reclamation as an emergency measure, the longer-term consequences of salt-water intrusion on soil are not yet known. Thus, a detailed study on this topic should be undertaken to identify rehabilitation strategies and plans. In addition, medium- and longer-term technical assistance should be provided to these farming communities to promote agricultural productivity, income generation and livelihood development through improved vegetable production.

Japan/FAO joint emergency assistance to support tsunami-affected coastal fishing communities in Southern Thailand

OSRO/THA/501/JPN

As a result of the tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 across South Asia, six provinces in Southern Thailand were severely affected leaving a death toll of over 5 000 people and tens of thousands of displaced persons. The fisheries sector was most severely hit and the total direct damage to the fishery sector alone was estimated by the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand at US$47.2 million or 99 percent of the total direct damage to the overall agriculture sector. In order to assist the Government’s efforts for a rapid re-establishment of sustainable income generating activities and in response to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Flash Appeal, the Government of Japan contributed US$162 000 in support of FAO project OSRO/THA/501/JPN, entitled “Japan/FAO joint emergency assistance to support tsunami-affected coastal fishing communities in Southern Thailand”. The project provided fishery inputs to small-scale fisherfolk in the six affected provinces who had lost their production assets and the means to support their livelihood. The project was implemented from 17 January 2005 to 16 July 2005.

The project was jointly executed by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand. An FAO/MOAC Project Steering Committee was established to provide guidance with overall project coordination. The Committee reviewed and approved a Plan of Operations and Work Plan and nominated a National Project Coordinator and national team responsible for coordinating project implementation at department and ministry level. Provincial Working Groups were also established for coordination at provincial and field level. Field level project activities were implemented in technical cooperation with the Department of Fisheries, with assistance from FAO technical officers/consultants and implementing non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The project provided fishery related inputs including 34 sets (408 pieces) of wood for boat repair to 34 beneficiaries in Phuket Province, 3 320 sets of shrimp gill net to 332 beneficiaries (10 sets per beneficiary) in five provinces, 200 fish cage nets to 236 beneficiaries in the six provinces and 18 000 crab, squid and fish traps to 300 beneficiaries in the six provinces. The project benefited a total number of 9021 beneficiaries, more than the original target of 700. A preliminary assessment has found that the majority of beneficiaries have been using the fishery inputs effectively. The national consultant in collaboration with ministry staff provided orientation workshops for NGOs and community leaders on schedules and procedures for beneficiary distribution. Technical back-stopping and advisory services were also provided during missions to project locations.

The beneficiaries of this project intervention were able to re-activate fishing activities, thereby providing fish for household consumption and earning an income from surplus yields. The activities of the project created a spirit of mutual collaboration between beneficiaries, exchanging experiences and knowledge on fishing techniques as well as building their capacity in order to become independent from external food aid. The project has also helped to strengthen relations between Government authorities, local community representatives, NGOs and other partners, ensuring that future projects in Southern Thailand will have greater participation and sustainability. As a mid-long term strategy, communities need further support in order to strengthen and promote community-based self-help activities and assessments should be made to monitor livelihood rehabilitation and sustainable natural resource management in coastal fishing communities.

National Workshop on the In-depth Tsunami Damage Assessment of Mangroves and Other Coastal Forests in Thailand

As an activity under the joint project between OCHA/UNDP/FAO entitled “In-depth technical assessment of mangroves and other coastal forests affected by the tsunami in southern Thailand (THA/05/001/01/12)”, this workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific on 4 and 5 July 2006 at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was planned to present the results of its work, and to offer an opportunity to discuss visions for follow-up programmes that will be carried out by concerned organizations in support of the tasks of DMCR. The objectives of the workshop were to:

1. Present the project findings and recommendations;

2. Learn from other similar tsunami-related programmes and activities;

3. Review the policy issues of the Government’s tsunami rehabilitation programmes; and

4. Discuss the long-term rehabilitation programmes and action plans.

The outputs from the workshop were:

1. The ecological, environmental and socio-economic study results of the damage to mangroves and other coastal forests by the tsunami were presented and elaborated based on the comments received from the participants;

2. The programmes and project activities being carried out by other organisations on tsunami-related subjects were introduced and their findings and lessons shared;

3. The Government’s policy on tsunami rehabilitation programmes were reviewed and recommendations were provided to the Government for possible adjustments, if required, based on the discussions at the workshop; and

4. The long-term rehabilitation framework and action plans for the Government, and public and non-governmental organisations toward the future were prepared and finalised based on the discussions at the workshop.

The workshop programmes were carried out in line with the agenda and timetable as shown in Annex 1. The workshop was attended by more than 40 participants from 15 organisations, including various international agencies, government departments, and NGOs (see Annex 2: List of participants).

Emergency assistance to affected farmers to restart agricultural production in southern Thailand

OSRO/THA/504/CHA

Thirty net houses for vegetable production had been distributed together with organic fertilizer to beneficiaries in the Three districts, Muang Ranong, Kapoe and Suksamran, Ranong province (see Annex 1 and 2 for maps and Annex 3 for the details of names and places of beneficiaries in each district). The net houses had been installed and handed over to the beneficiaries from 18 November 2005 (in Muang district) to 16 January 2006 (in Kapoe and Suksamran districts). Some beneficiaries started to grow vegetables right after they received the units and some of them started to grow later depending on their other working activities. The farmers normally have more than one activity to earn their income such as catching jelly fish (February-March), harvesting cashew nuts (March-April) and work for an extra income from time to time etc. The FAO national consultant as well as provincial and respective district Agricultural Offices (provincial and district DOAE) have followed up on the activities and have routinely given technical support to the beneficiaries. As a result of the project, the provincial and district DOAE has established a Farmer Field School (FFS) for net house vegetable production in Tambon Ngao, Muang Ranong and has monitored monthly activities of net house vegetable production of the beneficiaries in the three districts (see attached reporting form in Annex 4). One serious problem, however, was found in this province where occasionally strong winds occurred during the changing of monsoon direction during February-May (normally occurring every year during this period) which caused damages to the plastic roofing material of the net houses. The aim of the field monitoring visit of the national consultant was to follow up on the progress utilization of the net houses for vegetable production by the beneficiaries after three months of handing over and the problems that they have encountered, including those net houses damaged by the strong winds.

Assistance to the tsunami-affected fishing communities in southern Thailand

LOA/RAP/2005/21
FAO /OCHA/UNDP/THA/05/002

The emergency assistance project THA/05/002 executed by FAO and funded through UNDP provided boat engines and fishing equipment to small scale fishermen in the six provinces affected by the tsunami (Ranong, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun). The equipment provided were 400 Yanmar 11.5 HP boat engines including boat engine platforms and long-tail propeller shafts and 30 Honda 5.5 HP boat engines. The boat engines were provided to previously selected fisher folk groups which distributed them to group members on loan and created group revolving funds. Group members had to follow group regulations and had to repay the cost of the boat engines and equipment to the group. The groups deposited repayment funds in each group’s bank account, which was established specifically as revolving funds for the boat engines and fishing equipment over a period of approximately three years. Each group established a committee to manage the revolving fund in accordance with the nature and regulations of each group.

The FAO/UNDP project; THA/05/002 provided the boat engines and equipment to each of the fisher folk groups, and the chairman of each group signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). The Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Office in each province acted as the MOAC representative. The MOAC and FAO have been assured through signed MOU that the groups would distribute the boat engines and equipment, that the groups would operate the revolving funds diligently and fairly and that distribution of boat engines and equipment would be used in accordance with the desires of the group for the benefit of the community to the maximum extent possible so that they may continue their traditional small scale fishing lifestyle. Members selected to receive equipment signed a lease-purchase agreement with the group management to repay the cost of the boat engine and equipment to the group so the funds can be loaned to other members or be used for the common benefit of the community.

The engagement of the Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT) to the project activities was formalized through the signature of the Letter of Agreement (LOA) with FAO (LOA/RAP/2005/21) which was signed on 6 September 2005.

Under the LOA, WFT under took the tasks: 1) to assist the local communities and Government in the identification of fisher folk groups and end user beneficiaries based on the established selection criteria, and certify the lists of beneficiaries, 2) to provide technical and operational assistance to the selected fisher folk groups in the management of revolving fund under the cost recovery programme of the project, 3) to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the project and the selected fisher folk beneficiary groups and assist in the preparation of the Lease Agreement of boat engines between the leader of group and the individual beneficiary, 4) to witness the distribution of project inputs, 5) to monitor the progress, report emerging issues and propose solutions to problems and report the impacts of the cost recovery programme (revolving funds), and 6) to monitor the appropriate use of the project inputs by the selected groups for the effective income-generation and sustainable coastal resource management.

Establishment of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) and Capacity Building of Mangrove Research Stations of DMCR for the Use of RS/GIS in Tsunami Affected Provinces in Thailand

(LOA/RAP/2005/20)

On 26 December 2004, coastal communities across south and southeast Asia and as far away as east Africa were severely hit by a powerful tectonic earthquake and consequent tsunami attacks, leaving more than 285,000 people dead. In Thailand, provinces severely affected included Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun, with more than 5,300 dead and tens of thousands of stranded or displaced people.

Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) play important roles in disaster monitoring, assessment and management. The technology to meet these needs calls for the development and management of geo-informatics databases in a GIS hardware and software environment. In reality, however, a number of data producing and user organizations at the provincial level have little or no infrastructure in place to support GISbased information and data processing systems. In addition, they lack the much-needed GIS expertise.

GISTDA was engaged by the project through a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with FAO to facilitate the set-up and maintenance of a GIS system, and training human resources and skills in RS/GIS and geo-processing operations, which are required for the natural resources and disaster management. Building and updating geospatial databases is a continuing longterm process that must be supported by appropriate institutional and human capacity. This report describes what GISTDA has done and what would be required for the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) for its tsunami damage rehabilitation work at the provincial and district levels.

Objectives
The services to be provided by GISTDA as described in the LOA consisted of the following two components:

1. To establish a remote sensing and geographic information system (RS/GIS) facility at the Mangrove Research and Development Station No. 2 of DMCR in Phuket. The service includes a) setting up of the GIS hardware purchased by the project; b) installation of software; and c) maintenance of the GIS system.

2. To provide the local government staff with the first on-the-job training programme on the basic knowledge and operational skills of the RS/GIS systems.

Establishment of Technical Capacities of the Local Government on the Application of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in an integrated Coastal Land Use Planning and Forest Ecosystem Management (LOA/RAP/2005/18)

On 26 December 2004, a tsunami which resulted from an earthquake registering 9 on the richter scale occurred in the eastern part of the Indian Ocean. It devastated much of Banda Aceh, Indonesia and affected coastal areas of Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, and Somalia. While there was great loss of life and property on open beaches, the areas protected by mangroves and other coastal forests generally suffered less from the tsunami impact. Due to the tsunami devastation in those countries, it was reported that more than 285,000 people died. Thailand’s Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces were severely affected, with more than 5,300 dead and tens of thousands of stranded persons.

As a consequence of the tsunami disaster, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) carried out various activities under the FAO/UNDP project, “In-depth assessment of mangroves and other coastal forests affected by the tsunami in Southern Thailand (THA/05/001/0112)”. The Prince of Songkla University (PSU) was engaged in the project under a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with FAO to implement the following activities:

1. Enhanced technical capacities of local government on the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (RS/GIS) in integrated coastal land use planning and forest ecosystem management; and

2. Providing local communities, government offices, schools and NGOs with essential information useful for public awareness programmes on the ecological and economic functions of mangroves and other coastal forests.

Strengthening the coordination and assessment of fishing resources and inputs provided by tsunami emergency relief

OSRO/THA/505/CHA

The Indian Ocean tsunami that hit in December 2004 severely damaged coastal communities in six provinces in Southern Thailand along the Andaman coastline. The fisheries sector was hit the hardest. Reported damages in fisheries included: 6,568 fishing boats of less than 10 m length; 894 fishing boats of more than 10m length; 110,129 units of fishing gear; fish cages of 27,000 operators; 55 ha of shrimp ponds; 300 shrimp hatcheries and 322 ha of cockle fisheries with an estimated total value of damage of US$ 440 million.

In the aftermath of the tsunami an enormous emergency relief effort began throughout the six affected provinces. As the initial emergency phase passed, emphasis shifted towards long-term rehabilitation of the livelihoods of coastal communities with widespread, uncontrolled and uncoordinated distribution of fishing boats, engines and fishing gear by donor organizations. This created concern that the oversupply of fishing inputs, particularly fishing boats, could lead to overexploitation of fisheries resources and negatively impact the livelihoods of fishers. In response to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Flash Appeal, the United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) contributed US$ 123 147 in support of FAO project OSRO/THA/505/CHA, entitled “Strengthening the coordination and assessment of fishing resources and inputs provided by tsunami emergency relief”. The objective of the project was to strengthen the coordination capacity and information management system of the Department of Fisheries to monitor and plan the tsunami emergency rehabilitation activities in the fisheries sector and to avoid development of over capacity as a result of rehabilitation activities.

The project was jointly executed by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) of Thailand. An FAO/MOAC Project Steering Committee was setup to provide guidance with overall project coordination. The Committee reviewed and approved the Plan of Operations and Work Plan and nominated a National Project Coordinator and national team responsible for coordinating project implementation at department and ministry levels. Subsequently, the DOFFAO Post-tsunami Rehabilitation Coordination Unit was established within the Department of Fisheries in order to facilitate the active exchange of information and coordination among parties concerned with rehabilitation efforts in the fisheries sector.

A National Coordination Meeting on Post-tsunami Rehabilitation in Fisheries Sector was jointly organized by MOAC and FAO at FAO RAP on 28 March 2006 (60 participants from 26 organizations attended) in order to review the status of rehabilitation, gather up to date information on donor activities and distribution of fishing inputs, identify priorities for long-term rehabilitation, to promote networking, and to consult concerned agencies on the role and operation of the DOFFAO Post-tsunami Rehabilitation Coordination Unit. An information system was developed based on feedback from the meeting that included the following main components: i) a contact directory of organizations providing rehabilitation assistance, ii) a project directory of rehabilitation activities organized by province, and iii) a database to track the known distribution of fisheries inputs including boats, engines and fishing equipment. These data sets were analyzed by Coordination Unit staff and used to update status reports on rehabilitation in each of the six affected provinces.

These reports are made available on the website www.andamanforum.org, which is now maintained by the Coordination Unit. Reports are also be actively distributed to the donor community by email and non-electronic means according to individual donor preference, in order to ensure effective dissemination of up to date information.

In addition, two provincial level coordination meetings in Phang Nga and Ranong were organized in early June 2006 to facilitate GO/NGO collaboration and to promote the coordination and information sharing among concerned agencies in fisheries, agriculture and forestry sectors.

From the data compiled, to date the Coordination Unit has confirmed the distribution (including location in most cases) of 6 867 new boats, repair of 1 773 repaired boats, 3 528 new engines and repaired of 880 engines throughout the six affected provinces. The Coordination Unit has contacted and/or interviewed 121 aid agencies to obtain data on 150 rehabilitation projects, the majority of which associated with the fisheries sector.

A DOF working group was established, necessary staffs were appointed and the functional statement of the Unit was ...