Three hundred thousand considered vulnerable
Although the government did not find it necessary to declare any part of Chiang Mai province at disaster area so far this cold season, they identified vulnerable groups in each district and distributed warm clothing to prepare Manas Khansai, Chiang Mai Permanent Secretary announced at the January 29 press conference.
The government distributed warm clothing to 170,000 people out of the 300,000 determined to be vulnerable. Many villagers and areas received clothing from other sources including local charitable organizations such as Rotary clubs and private companies.
The Chiang Mai Governor ordered that some warm clothing be held in reserve for each area in case there are further cold spells. An emergency budget was already set aside to purchase extra clothing as needed. The Governor emphasized the need for cooperation and coordination from all sectors to ensure that there is no redundancy in areas receiving warm clothing and that all vulnerable people are protected.
