By
Michele Witthaus |
Danish manufacturer Viking Life-Saving Equipment has joined forces with the Thai Red Cross Society and the Danish Embassy in Bangkok to support rescue efforts in Thailand’s devastating floods.
The floods, which are the worst in 50 years, have already led to the loss of more than 300 lives and displaced over 100,000 people.
In addition to its manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Norway and the USA, Viking has an established factory in Laem Chabang, Thailand. Viking’s managing director in Thailand, Morten Halfdan Petersen, delivered more than 400 lifejackets to Red Cross director, Amnat Barlee and assistant secretary general for external relations Sawanit Kongsiri on Friday 28 October. “Our facility in Laem Chabang employs over 650 people,” said Petersen. “We have been here for almost 10 years and have deep roots in the community. It is devastating to see how much damage and despair these unprecedented water levels are causing.”
Henrik Uhd Christensen, CEO of Viking, commented: “We are of course deeply touched by the situation and we naturally feel an obligation to provide assistance to a community that has given Viking so much. We know water and what it takes to survive in water. So if our knowledge and our products can make a difference for the thousands of persons affected by these terrible floods, we are only proud to help.”
In addition to the lifejackets, Viking employees and their families have collected a large amount of clothing and toys as well as cash donations for food and water supplies.