USAID is committed to promoting science and technology based solutions to development challenges, and to furthering our relationship with Thailand's many outstanding universities and students, USAID Asia is pleased to launch a mobile application design contest.  The Students with Solutions 2012 contest is open to all university students throughout Thailand.  The aim of this contest is to enlist Thailand's creative, compassionate, and capable university students in developing innovative, regional solutions to address regional development challenges: human trafficking, preventing deforestation and forest degradation, and promoting disaster resilience and response.  The winning team will receive a cash award of 50,000 Thai baht, along with tablet computers. 

See the News section of our website for full contest details and apply yourself to the world!  

To demonstrate the continued commitment of the United States to reducing flood risks in Thailand, U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney gave remarks at the launch of USAID’s new disaster preparedness programs.  Held at Ayutthaya Provincial Hospital, partners from USAID, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the Government of Thailand Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Thai Red Cross Society, Ministry of Public Health, Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand, the Governor of Ayutthaya, and directors and healthcare personnel, came together to support advanced disaster resilience training throughout Thailand.  With support from USAID and the American Red Cross, ADPC implements the Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response, a disaster preparedness training program spanning across nine countries throughout Asia.  Thailand is now a part of this important program to strengthen the skills of healthcare facilities, first responders, and communities to respond effectively to disasters.

In addition, the Program for Reduction of Vulnerability to Floods in Thailand will develop flood risk management strategies and implement flood mitigation plans in Thai provinces affected by recent flooding.  This program aims to better prepare communities to make them safer, and strengthen the network among first responders.  For more information on these programs, please visit adpc.net.

Santi, Indonesia’s Investigator of the Year in 2010, recently became the first woman ever to pass through the RDMA-funded Freeland Foundation’s wildlife enforcement ranger training.  Freeland Foundation runs the USAID-funded ARREST program to end illegal wildlife trafficking in Asia.  The rigorous training course was designed and taught by Freeland Foundation instructors in Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park.  Santi said she was “very happy” with the training.  For more information on Freeland Foundation and their work to save wildlife please visit freeland.org.