The Buddhist humanitarian relief organization Join Together Society (JTS), founded by the revered Korean Dharma master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) marshaled their combined resources to ensure rapid humanitarian relief after Northern Thailand and Northern Laos experienced the most severe flooding in more than four decades in July, caused by persistent heavy rainfall and the impact of Tropical Storm Wipha.
During the recent INEB–Jungto monastic study trip in late June 2025,* two participants were venerable monks from flood-affected areas— Ven. Khongsin Khuean-on from Nan Province in Thailand and Ven. Sayadej Vongsopha from Vientiane. On learning about the flooding, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim reached out to INEB to request rapid coordinated emergency relief through JTS, which swiftly provided funding to support the two monks in their community relief work.
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim established the humanitarian relief organization JTS in 1993 as an expression of the compassion of engaged Buddhism and based on the principle that helping others is the best way to enrich one’s own life. Headquartered in Seoul, JTS operates program offices in South Korea, Germany, and the United States, along with field offices in India and the Philippines. The relief organization has also earned Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
In Laos, Luang Prabang Province was among the most severely affected areas. Continuous rainfall and discharges from upstream hydropower dams caused the Khan River to overflow, flooding nearby communities. Homes, farmland, and roads were inundated, leading to power outages, travel disruptions, and widespread displacement. The authorities mobilized emergency personnel to help residents relocate belongings and livestock to safer ground, conducted damage assessments, and supported coordinated relief responses.
Laotian Buddhist monk, educator, and social activist Ven. Sayadej Vongsopha traveled from Vientiane to Luang Prabang to work closely with local community leaders in Nan District (not to be confused with Thailand’s Nan Province), one of the hardest-hit areas in Luang Prabang. Ten villages in the district—comprising 916 families (4,773 people, including 2,351 women)—were significantly impacted. With funding from JTS Korea, Ven. Sayadej focused on delivering emergency relief packages, including food and essential supplies, to 365 of the most vulnerable families. He carried out this effort in collaboration with the Red Cross and local authorities, ensuring timely and equitable distribution of aid.
In Thailand’s Nan Province, the Nan River overflowed across several districts, including Muang, Thawangpha, and Phu Phiang, inundating homes and key cultural landmarks. The floodwaters, nearing record levels, disrupted local infrastructure, including markets, hospitals, and transportation networks. Emergency response teams were mobilized, temporary shelters set up, and water management efforts enacted—including dam discharge reductions—to minimize downstream damage. Despite these efforts, widespread flooding continued along the Nan River basin, drawing comparisons to the catastrophic floods of 1981 and prompting extended recovery operations into late July.
Ven. Khongsin Khuean-on of Thawangpha District, Nan Province, was directly impacted—trapped on the second floor of his temple for days after the flood completely submerged the first floor. He described the situation as the worst flooding he had experienced in his lifetime. Sixty novice monks at the monastic school under his care were left without a safe place to sleep. Despite these challenges, monastic and lay communities came together to support one another in clean-up and recovery efforts. Many essential household and educational items were damaged or lost.
With JTS funding, Ven. Khongsin established a disaster relief center to serve the community. The center immediately purchased high-pressure water pumps and other cleaning equipment to clear thick mud and debris. Plans are underway to acquire additional tools such as boats, life jackets, rice cookers, freezers, emergency medical kits, and food storage units. Additionally, three wells will be dug to ensure access to clean water for post-flood recovery and future preparedness. In addition, the relief team has identified 300 families who were severely affected and will be delivering each family a rice cooker, the most essential household item urgently needed.
Thanks to the timely and compassionate response of Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, both venerables were able to provide critical, immediate assistance to their communities. INEB remains deeply grateful to have played a role in facilitating this support. We recognize that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change and are committed to working with our kalyana-mitta to seek sustainable alternatives for living in harmony with nature.
INEB is a global network of individuals and organizations who are committed to building compassionate societies and working toward environmental sustainability and world peace. INEB emphasizes the importance of developing ethical, Dharma-based approaches to its work, and encourages members to work collaboratively and respectfully based on a foundation of shared values and aspirations. Headquartered in Bangkok, INEB has established a wide range of social projects and outreach programs aimed at overcoming suffering and empowering vulnerable communities through the practice of the Dharma and social programs such as education and training, community development, advocacy and lobbying efforts, and interfaith dialogue.
Anchalee Kurutach is the coordinator for INEB’s Gender and Peace program.
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International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
JTS Korea
JTS America
Pomnyun
Jungto Society
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