December 1, 2025
On December 1, 2025, the MIT ASEAN Office, in collaboration with the MIT Urban Risk Lab and the Embassy of Japan in Thailand, hosted a Bangkok event marking the launch of Design Before Disaster by Prof. Miho Mazereeuw. While centered on disaster preparedness, the event also supported ongoing relief efforts in southern Thailand, where severe flooding in late November 2025 had displaced thousands of residents.
In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Friends in Need (of “PA”) Volunteers Foundation under the Thai Red Cross Society led a coordinated emergency response. Prolonged rainfall caused floodwaters in parts of Hat Yai to rise to nearly two meters, cutting off power, transportation, and access to food and clean water. Working with the Royal Thai Air Force, local governments, and volunteer networks, the Foundation airlifted essential supplies into affected areas, including over 12,000 ready-to-eat meals, medical kits, and sanitation equipment. Rescue teams used small boats and jet skis to reach isolated communities, delivering aid to residents stranded in homes and on rooftops, with priority given to vulnerable groups.
As waters receded, the Foundation expanded into long-term recovery. It established 62 “Fix-It Volunteer Centers,” mobilizing teachers and vocational students nationwide to repair more than 23,000 damaged items such as appliances, vehicles, and electrical systems. In parallel, 24 Royal Kitchens distributed over 154,000 meals across five provinces, ensuring continued access to food during the recovery period. The Foundation also worked with communities to strengthen preparedness, facilitating discussions on evacuation planning and identifying residents needing priority assistance in future disasters.
Proceeds from the Bangkok event, including $1,200 raised through book sales, were donated to support these relief and recovery efforts. In this way, the launch of Design Before Disaster was directly linked to the urgent needs on the ground, connecting its themes of preparedness and resilience with the ongoing work of disaster response in southern Thailand.
Read more about flood recovery efforts here and here. Learn more about Design Before Disaster here.