The Myanmar migrant community in Chiang Mai, Thailand was impacted by record flooding on Oct. 5 as the Ping River reached a record 5.30 meters, inundating many parts of the city with water. Many migrant families were affected by the floods and reached out to community organizer Htay Aung, 22, for assistance instead of the Thai authorities.

“This situation is really bad for the community here. I must say, for those who are [from] a vulnerable group, from the LGBT community, and [those who are] undocumented, like people who live here illegally, hesitate to reach out for help from the [Thai] rescue team,” Htay Aung told DVB. “Maybe they will face deportation. So, they are afraid of that.”

On Oct. 8, Htay Aung and the Free Burma Rangers held a food distribution for 400 Myanmar migrant families impacted by the floods.