THE TSUNAMI FISHERMEN'S RELIEF FUND IN NAM KEM THAILAND HAS HELPED TO RESTORE THE LIVELYHOOD OF MORE THAN 20 TSUNAMI DEVASTED FISHING FAMILIES.

The Tsunami Fishermen's Relief Fund, a short-term, non-NGO tsunami-relief fund operated in Bahn Nam Kem in South Thailand, has closed the fund after helping over twenty fishing families affected by the destruction of Dec 26th. Donations were recieved from individuals and groups who - in the weeks immediately following the tsunami - are responsible for replacing and repairing long-tail boats, motors, propellers, nets, and fishing supplies for families in Bahn Nam Kem that live from the sea.

"Words can not explain how grateful these people are", says Graeme Killen, Fund co-founder. "Being proud fishermen they don't want to rely on handouts. Thanks to the people who donated they can now fish and take care of their own families."

The Tsunami Fishermen's Relief Fund is no longer collecting donations for building fishing boats in Nam Kem.

TSUNAMI FISHERMEN'S RELIEF FUND
NAM KEM, THAILAND (Phang Ngha district)

Nam Kem is a large fishing community on Thailand's Southwest coast, where over 60% of the 5,000 inhabitants are known to have died when the Tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. In the aftermath of this disaster, families have been left torn apart and the local fishing economy has been destroyed.

The Thai Government is giving high priority to re-establishing the tourism and large-scale commercial fishing industries in the district but the small independent fishermen, most of whom have nothing after the Tsunami, have been left behind in those rebuilding schemes.

Although the government has promised partial compensation for registered boats, NO compensation will be given for boats that were not registered with the government. The poor fishermen seldom register their boats because of the cost to do so even in good times. Now they are left without any provision for re-establishing their lives in the most difficult of times.

Graeme Killen and Saijer, "Pon" Ketkling, two local residents, have established Tsunami Fishermen's Relief Fund to build and repair the small longtail boats for these poor families.

This project has been incredibly fortunate to receive international media attention and has been highlighted on the BBC and Thai Channel 9 among many others and the Queen of Sweden praised the TFRF work site on her February 19th tour of Nam Kem. On his February 20th tour, former President Bill Clinton told the Bangkok Post that restoring the fishing industry and helping the fishermen is "The most urgent thing" for Nam Kem.

However, all of the financial support for TFRF has come from individuals either in Thailand or from their friends and associates in Europe and America. We have not received any government or NGO assistance.

The project has succeeded to enliven the fishermen and their families to reclaim their livelihoods and their lives.