A large part of Thailand has been hit with heavy floods during this year’s monsoon season. Since July, an estimated 2.4 million people have been affected by the flooding and over 560 people have been reported dead.

Officials at Thailand's disaster prevention and mitigation department are calling it "the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected." The floods have also damaged approximately 10 per cent of the nation's 22 million acres of rice fields.

Rabbi Nehemiah Wilhelm, of Chabad-Lubavitch of Bangkok, participated this week in relief efforts together with visiting Israeli backpackers.

“We are assisting people living in local villages near Bangkok with food and basic necessities,” Rabbi Wilhelm told lubavitch.com

“To put things in perspective, understand that some of these people were struggling before the floods.  They lived in basic structures, only one floor high, with the bare minimum.”

“Now, that a meter and a half of water has destroyed their houses, they are left with absolutely nothing,” said Wilhelm.

Thai Army trucks drove the volunteers through the flooded areas enabling them to reach their destination.  Thai soldiers also helped with the distribution.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who toured the flooded areas in a helicopter this week said “I have seen many areas of natural disasters, but it is beyond any imagination.”

“We hope to increase our efforts. In conjunction with the Israeli embassy, we have several large food distributions planned for next week, “said Wilhelm.