Bangkok, Thailand, 18 June 2021 -- The Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand is still going on, not only in Bangkok, the capital city. From the daily statistics issued, the number of people infected is still at the level of between 2,300 - 3,000 people. From the recent survey, there have been infections of persons working in big factories in many provinces, especially in Phetchaburi Province. Some 3,000 people were tested Covid-19 positive out of 5,000 workers, mostly from neighboring countries. The virus has spread through the adjacent villages. The government has put more effort into bringing the vaccines to the people, but percentage wise, the numbers are not high. More time is needed.

Aside from this, because of the precarious situation in Myanmar, some residents especially along the border areas fled to take refuge in Thailand. They have experienced severe hardships.

Due to these situations, the Salesian Family of Thailand could not remain at ease. They have reached out to these people in the best way they can.

On 17 June 2021, Fr Aaron Alcoseba, the vice provincial, together with the members of the Salesian Family - composed of the Salesians [SDB], The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians [FMA], the Salesian Cooperators [ASC], the Association of Mary Help of Christians [ADMA], the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [SIHM], the Institute of the Queenship of Mary [DQM], the Sisters of the Queenship of Mary [SQM] and the Salesian Past Pupils - joined forces to bring relief to the affected people. They prepared 500 food bags for the poor residents of the municipality of Khao Yoi, Phetchaburi Province and the municipality of Banpong, Ratchaburi Province. Another 100 food bags were given to the refugees from Myanmar staying along the border of Kanchanaburi Province. This event was held at the grounds of the Office of the Salesian Society in Bangkok.

This activity was organized and coordinated by the Planning and Development Office [PDO] of the Salesian Province, under the project "We Are In The Same Boat". On this special occasion, we thank Fr Sarawin Phatsrirueang, the assistant director of the Social Development Center of the Ratchaburi Diocese, for receiving these food bags to be distributed to the people infected by Covid-19. We also thank Mr. Surasit Jit-uthat, a personnel of COERR Kanchanaburi, for bringing the food bags to be handed to the refugees.

Since the areas affected by the Covid-19 pandemic have been put into "lock down", and the refugees place was difficult to reach, bringing the goods directly to the recipients was therefore impossible. Thank you 'Diocesan Social Action Center - Ratchaburi' [DISAC] and COERR - Kanchanaburi for acting as the 'human bridge' to bring the food donations to those who are suffering.