Background

The lives of many Thai children changed dramatically after the tsunami hit Southern Thailand. In July 2006 it was discovered that the wellbeing of many of these children was still unknown, and although many had received help and were living in a safe environment, others were vulnerable and subject to neglect.

Throughout Thailand there were an estimated 2,300-2,500 Thai tsunami orphans, and more than 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 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. Once the child’s school, institution, residence or placement was located, we contacted the caregiver and/or teacher to arrange a time to interview both the child and relevant adults together and then separately. 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 uploaded onto a standardised database which was sent to UNICEF.

Geographical scope

ChildTRAC traced children in the 6 directly affected tsunami provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun plus children in indirectly affected provinces across Thailand.

Findings

All detailed findings are documented in the report 'Children of the tsunami; where are they now?'.