WFP praises Thailand’s relief efforts

The World Food Programme (WFP) is praising efforts made by the government and private sector to provide relief to victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

The government has donated 20,000 tonnes of rice to Haiti, worth an estimated 340 million baht.

Thai Airways yesterday airlifted the first 100 tonnes to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

Channel 3 has raised 167 million baht in donations from its viewers and the private sector for Haiti through the WFP to buy emergency food supplies.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the WFP’s special ambassador for school nutrition, accepted the money on behalf of the aid group.

“In my more than 16 years with the WFP I have never witnessed such a spontaneous and overwhelming response from the people of one country to another, particularly one on the other side of the world,” said the WFP’s regional director for Asia, Kenro Oshidari.

“The fact that this generosity has been added to by an unprecedented Royal Thai Government donation is just marvellous and should be held high as an example to other governments around the world who should also consider giving food and other assistance during crises.

“The incredible response from the private sector, especially Thai Airways, again demonstrates the unique depth and warmth of Thais and their ability to pull together to help their brothers and sisters in Haiti.”

Mr Oshidari joined Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday to witness the rice-filled 747-300 cargo plane embark on a 36-hour flight to deliver vital food supplies to tens of thousands of Haitians.

Another 19,900 tonnes of rice will be shipped by sea to Haiti, the prime minister said.

The cost of transporting the rice is 10 million baht, said THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand. Half will be paid by the airline and the rest shared by the government and PTT Plc, he added.

The plane is due to arrive in the Haitian capital today after stops in South Korea and Anchorage and Miami in the US.

source:  http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/32120/wfp-praises-thailand-relief-efforts