March 14, 2000
Reaching out East Thai Relief Project: East Timor is setting a precedent by providing an opportunity for Thais to extend their compassion and humanitarian spirit beyond the border Atiya Achakulwisut The rampage is over, but tragedy remains in the island of East Timor. "The damage is shocking. Traces of war were everywhere when we went in for a survey. Half of the capital Dili was burnt. Most of the villages we passed were burnt. The damage was much worse than what we saw on TV," said Dr Sanguan Nitayarumphong, director of the Office of Health Care Reform at the Public Health Ministry and a committee member of the Thai Relief Project: East Timor. Dr Sanguan said the project was a local attempt to provide help and forge a spirit of humanity that extends across borders. He visited East Timor last year for a first-hand review of the country's conditions and needs. Severe human rights violations had been a part of life in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor for more than two decades-the Indonesian army invaded the island in 1975. However, before and after the August 30 vote for East Timorese independence from Indonesia, the sporadic torture and killings which had haunted the region for decades escalated into a ruthless massacre. Time reported that hundreds of people were killed and an estimated 200,000 East Timorese, out of a population of 850,000 either fled or were forced from their homes. The destruction was not random. Major infrastructure and almost anything else of value was looted and razed. United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (Unamet) spokesman David Wimhurst reportedly said the area was one of total devastation. Witnessing the brutality, a group of Thai human rights and civic movement activists formed a coalition to provide relief to people there. "Although East Timor is not our next-door neighbour, it is in the same region. We feel we should do something to help them," former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the project, remarked. Thai Relief Project: East Timor took shape last October. According to the committee, it is a private operation, collecting donations not in the name of the government but on a people-to-people basis. Of course, questions abound. Can Thai people afford to share their resources while still recovering from the hard-hitting economic crisis? Why should Thais help people in East Timor while so many local people here struggle with poverty and oppression? And what about Thai workers overseas? They live hard lives and could use some help too. Mr Anand explained the East Timor project seeks to mobilise not only humanitarian aid but also transnational compassion. "This project was inspired by a wish to forge a humanitarian awareness that is not limited by the national boundary. As human beings, we should have empathy with the plight of others, regardless of their nationality or race." Regional conflicts, both economic and political, have been on the rise during the past few decades, the former premier noted. Unless attempts are made to cultivate a new set of values that respect cultural differences and recognise the human quality in people of all races, narrow-minded nationalism may prevail and will lead to unnecessary animosity and clashes. Mr Anand hoped the relief project for East Timor would be the first step in that direction. During its six months of operation, the project has received about two million baht in cash-a donation of 1.2 million baht was made in the name of the Norwegian government and people-and several million baht worth of food and other basic necessities. What is remarkable is the fact many donations come from networks of people at the grassroots level. A network of Isan farmers, for example, gave one tonne of rice while the Santi Asoke sect chipped in more than three tonnes of grain. The project's secretary general Saowanee Limmanond said a few aid drops had already been made. Most provided medicine and dry food-things the East Timorese people needed and could use straight away. However, she stressed the project would be based not on charity but on the philosophy of help for self-help. "Right now, there is virtually nothing there. People have no homes and no food. It is pointless to tell them they have to rely on themselves, to build their own houses and grow their own food. People are starving now. We have to feed them first," Ms Saowanee said. She is one of the project's committee members who went to East Timor to determine the people's living conditions and real needs. In the next phase, the project will try to coordinate with other agencies in helping East Timorese to help themselves-by providing home-building equipment, crop seeds and farming tools. Mr Anand recognised Thai Relief Project: East Timor has a number of limitations. The project has no permanent office or staff. It also remains ad hoc in nature and would likely phase out in a couple of years time. Yet, he said he would like the spirit behind the organisation to be carried on. "We can easily design a soft landing for the project, but how about the structure we have built: the experience we've gained and awareness we've grown? "In establishing this relief project, I focus less on East Timor than on the culture of Thai people. We have never had any independent relief agency, like Amnesty International or Oxfam, which helps fellow citizens in need. "I have many dreams," Mr Anand added. One of them is to see Thailand as a centre of non-formal, civic activities. "Civic movements will serve as a kind of social safety net. They can help monitor abuses or human rights violations. With an international link, they will be more effective than the government in bringing up issues and mobilising help." The Thai government, Mr Anand emphasised, must learn to support these citizen movements. "We Care" is a fortnightly series honouring people who believe in giving. Apart from supporting these causes, you can also let us know about people who unselfishly help others so we can make more people aware of their efforts. Fax "We Care" on 240-3668 or call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212. Email can be sent to: sanitsuda@bangkokpost.net. For a comprehensive list of charities covered by Outlook's "We Care" series, see the Bangkok Post Web site at www.bangkokpost.net/outlookwecare/. How to help If you would like to help Thai Relief Project: East Timor you can make a cash donation-or you can support the project by providing some of these much-needed items: Soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, detergent, hammers, nails, saws, shovels, spades, hoes and seeds (such as grains, nuts or vegetables). You can make a cash donation through the following: - Name of Project: Thai Relief Project: East Timor - Name of Contact Person: Ms Saowanee Limmanond - Address: 1093/64, 12th Floor, Central City Bangna Building, Bangna-Trat Road, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 - Tel: 745-6111 ext 160, 138, 123. Or 01-6152020 - Fax: 7456117 - Savings bank account name: Krong Karn Ruamtun Namjai Thai; account number: 024-2-28089-8; Siam Commercial Bank's Charoen Nakorn branch. - Web site: www.thai-timor.tnet.co.thOr send a cheque payable to the Post Publishing Public Company Limited. Address it to Kusuma Mintakhin, Editorial Manager, 136 Na Ranong Road, off Sunthorn Kosa, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110. Her telephone number is 240-3700 ext 3224-5. Please include your name and address with your cheque so we can send you a receipt. (Note: donations are tax deductible.)		Daily Main Entrance Page Local News Business Outlook Weekly IT news Horizons Travel NiteOwl (Trink) Real.Time Motoring Student Weekly Entertainment & Lifestyle What's on Dining out Recipe of the week Movies Music Book Review Beauty Fitness Nutrition NEW! 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