Red Cross Worker Shares Tales from Thailand

It's been nearly three years since a devastating tsunami struck the southeast Asian country of Thailand, but recovery is still ongoing--at least according to American Red Cross Senior Field Representative for the Tsunami Recovery Program David Strobel. The tsunami, which has an estimated death toll exceeding 230,000 has left some communities still without basic amenities. David Strobel says the recovery effort is well underway, but that there are still improvements to be made. Some current programs in Thailand include a Water, Sanitation, and Health Promotion Project, Community-Based Health Project, and a Disaster Preparedness Project.

Strobel also saw action in response to the May Cyclone Nargis disaster in Myanmar/Burma whose devastation has left an estimated 140,000 dead. He helped organization deployment of disaster response volunteers amidst Myanmar moratorium on visas. The Pittsburgh native will spend some time in the city over the course of August and then return to Thailand where he spends 11 months out of the year.