U.S. sending $10M in aid, hundreds of troops to Thailand after flooding
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SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — After a month in limbo, the U.S. government is ramping up efforts to aid Thailand following its worst flooding in decades, officials announced this week.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met Wednesday with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the nation’s capital of Bangkok and pledged a $10 million aid package — the same day the USS Lassen arrived in Laem Chabang with helicopters to work with the Thai military, according to a Department of State news release.
“One thing we have learned is that it is not for the United States to determine what you need,” Clinton said. “You tell us what you need, and then we try to respond.”
In her remarks, Clinton also pledged the U.S. would help reopen Bangkok’s Don Muang domestic airport, police stations and “protect and restore” ancient monuments. In addition to supplying pumps, boats, and generators, the U.S. would also provide medical services and help with hospital readiness.
“Since the beginning of the flooding, we have been in close consultation, working with the Thai Government, both the civilian authorities and the military authorities, to assess needs and assist flood victims,” Clinton said, one day before touring a flood evacuation center. “And we have provided funding, as you may know, to the Thai Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration to quickly procure and distribute relief supplies.””
In addition to the Lassen’s 200 crewmembers, about 100 servicemembers from different branches, including those that make up the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force flood-relief command element, arrived Monday from Okinawa at the request of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. They will conduct relief assessments and perform recovery operations, according to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force media relations officer 1st Lt. Lindsay Pirek.
“The purpose of the command element is to conduct assessments and determine the level of assistance the U.S. will be able to provide,” Pirek said in an email to Stripes. “Initially, approximately 100 U.S. forces have arrived to do preliminary assessments, and based on those assessments and needs, additional forces and capabilities will arrive to assist Thailand’s recovery efforts.”
The aid comes following months of heavy monsoon rains and flooding that has reached the capital and killed over 500 people, according to media reports. The assistance is being provided a month after the George Washington Carrier Strike Group was released from the region after no request for aid came from the Thai government.
A 10-man Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team comprised of Marines from III MEF and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin arrived last month but have since left, Navy and Marine officials said.
