Building Back Better and Stronger After Typhoon Yagi Floods Hit Thailand

Chiang Rai, Thailand – "I watched helplessly as the water rose higher and higher, drowning my home and everything I had worked for," Aung* describes the fear that engulfed him as he witnessed all his belongings disappear beneath the murky floodwaters.

In late 2024, Typhoon Yagi struck Thailand, leaving devastation in its wake. The hardest-hit areas, including in the northern provinces of Thailand, witnessed severe flooding compared to previous years. Over 200,000 households were affected, with homes, livestock and livelihoods swept away by the relentless floodwaters and landslides.

For many migrant communities already living on the margins along the Thailand-Myanmar border, the impact was catastrophic. Among them was 40-year-old Aung, whose life was forever altered by the storm.

“When the flood hit, we couldn’t cook or eat for three days as the electricity was cut off. There were days when my family couldn’t even drink water because everything in my room had been washed away by the flood. All that remained were metal scraps and glasses,” he recounts.

Having worked in Thailand for over a decade, he had poured his heart and soul into running a small garlic processing business. The income, though modest, had provided a steady stream of support for his family, allowing them to send money back to their village in Myanmar and build a better future for their children.

“At night, we slept seated up on the ceiling beams to stay above the floodwaters, enduring this for an entire night. My injury during the flood made things worse, and I couldn’t work for nearly a month. My family had to depend entirely on donated items for survival.” The flood had not only taken up his livelihood but also the hope he had carefully cultivated for his family over the years.

“The support from IOM came just in time,” he added.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided essential relief items such as food, water, hygiene items, emergency health kits and shelter materials to those most in need, alleviating the suffering of over 10,000 vulnerable individuals.

Dusit Tanthong, IOM’s Field Coordinator, was among the first responders on the ground, leading efforts to assess the devastation and coordinate with humanitarian partners to deliver lifesaving aid to flood-affected communities.

“The destruction was immense, and the scale of the impact was far worse than we had anticipated. For the elderly, children and vulnerable migrants, accessing assistance was a significant challenge, underscoring the urgent need for targeted support,” he highlighted.

For 66-year-old Daw Mya* from Myanmar, this timely support was a vital lifeline after losing everything she had worked for over 20 years. As a daily wage worker, Daw Mya’s livelihood came to a standstill for two months, making it difficult for her to make ends meet.

“I had worked hard for 20 years to build a life here. In just a few days, the flood took everything away — my fridge, my bedding, my kitchen utensils, even the small comforts of my home. For two months, I couldn’t stay in my room and had to seek shelter at the community social welfare centre. I struggled to access even the most basic items like water and food.”

"When we received the items, it was a great relief," she said. "Even simple items like a toothbrush, soap, blankets, floor mats and other household items helped me after losing everything."

Both local and migrant communities came together in solidarity to support one another during flood response and recovery. In many areas, local organizations and community networks organized food distributions, transportation to safer locations and makeshift shelters. Stranded individuals whose homes were destroyed by the floods found refuge in shared spaces, such as monasteries. Within these spaces, neighbours came together to cook meals, offer moral support and help one another navigate through the harsh conditions.

For 27-year-old Kaung Ma Lay and her two-year old daughter, living in the same neighbourhood, the community’s spirit was a source of comfort amidst the chaos.

“During the flood, we shared whatever we had — rice, instant noodles and dried food — with those who hadn’t received any assistance. Even in such a difficult time, we found ways to help each other,” she recalled.

Recognizing that the impact of the floods extends beyond the immediate emergency, IOM is working closely with local communities to assess their needs and develop sustainable solutions to support long-term recovery efforts.

“At IOM, delivering essential humanitarian assistance in times of crisis remains the topmost priority. But our work doesn’t stop there,” emphasizes Geraldine Ansart, Chief of Mission at IOM Thailand.

“We are committed to helping communities recover and rebuild their lives despite increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.”

IOM’s humanitarian assistance to flood-affected populations was made possible through support from Government of Japan.

*Names have been changed to protect identity.

This story was written by Anushma Shrestha, IOM Thailand Media and Communications Officer.