Rapid assessment of health needs and medical response after the tsunami in Thailand, 2004-2005

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake triggered a massive tsunami in the Indian Ocean, causing an estimated 183,172 deaths and 40,320 missing in 12 countries. In Thailand, six provinces (Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, and Trang) were affected. U.S. government agencies delivered emergency medical assistance from December 30, 2004, to January 6, 2005. A team from the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences conducted a rapid health and needs assessment in southern Thailand. Twelve hospitals were referral centers for tsunami-related medical care. None of the hospitals had been damaged during the tsunami; all activated mass casualty plans. As of October 2005, 5,395 deaths were confirmed and 2,817 individuals were missing. The response of the Thai government to the tsunami was rapid and effective in mitigating the health consequences among survivors and helped prioritize public health interventions and the diversion of U.S. assistance to areas with greater need for international emergency humanitarian assistance.