ADB earmarks US$1.7m for tsunami aid plan

MANILA: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has set aside US$1.7 million (about 75 million baht) for Thailand, to help Bangkok develop long-term solutions for tsunami-affected areas, especially Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket, an ADB report announced on July 7.

The funds will come from the Asian Tsunami Fund, which was set up by the ADB in February 2005 with an initial contribution of some US$600 million.

“The [Thai] government, with the support of several development partners, is carrying out short-term actions such as repairing the fishing fleet, reconstructing houses, rehabilitating villages and resorts, and restoring livelihoods,” Alfredo Perdiguero, an ADB Project Economist, explained in the report.

“But many of these processes have long-term impacts, and an effective and comprehensive medium- and long-term plan for the affected provinces is required,” he said.

The funds to be given by the ADB will help formulate plans that will develop the six tsunami-affected provinces over the coming 15 years.

This assistance will cover terms of land use, population distribution, settlement patterns, economic activities, social infrastructure and major utility and transport infrastructure.

Key areas for economic investment as well as for the implementation of conservation and environmental protection measures will be highlighted.

The fund will also support a Subregional Development Plan, to include broad strategies covering regional economic development, environmental conservation and sustainable development, infrastructure planning, community development and livelihoods.