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Medical and Humanitarian Aid
AmeriCares is committed to helping Sri Lanka increase health services to all by improving access to high-quality health care through the delivery of medicines and medical supplies. Since 1997, in addition to Tsunami relief and emergency aid, AmeriCares has delivered nearly $1.5 million worth of medical aid to help to supplement pharmacy shortages and provide budget relief for health care providers.
Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction Program
On the morning of December 26, 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia, measuring 9.0 in the Richter scale, generated a tsunami that traveled 1,000 miles across the Indian Ocean.
- 27 health care facilities constructed or rehabilitated including village health posts, public health centers and child care centers
- 178 health care facilities supplied with equipment, medicine and medical consumables including hospitals, clinics,
Striking land on the eastern shore of Sri Lanka, one of 11 countries hit by this monumental disaster, the tsunami killed 35,000 people in Sri Lanka and left 500,000 homeless. The disaster prompted an unprecedented outpouring of assistance from the American public and the international community. More than three years later that support continues to help AmeriCares rebuild communities and lives in Sri Lanka.
During our visit to camps for the displaced, a poor widow lay listless in the dirt waiting for help; suffering from fever and malnutrition. Her small, frightened children surrounded her. We were quickly able to negotiate transport for her to the local hospital for urgent care. At that moment, it re-affirmed what AmeriCares is all about - helping vulnerable people in their dire time of need.
Immediate Relief: Airlifts of Medical Supplies and Water Purification
Beginning December 30, AmeriCares delivered three back-to-back airlifts of medicines, supplies and water purification supplies focused on reducing the threat of infectious and water-borne disease. AmeriCares relief workers identified water quality as a critical area of unmet need in the recovery stages and, in April 2005, launched a water purification initiative in collaboration with the national Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Reconstruction: Tsunami Relief Fund Closed and Country Office Opened
AmeriCares closed its Tsunami Relief Fund on March 31, 2005, announcing that we had raised sufficient funds to meet immediate needs and underwrite long-term reconstruction plans. As relief efforts transitioned to reconstruction, AmeriCares established a tsunami program office in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. Today we continue to oversee $16.9 million in reconstruction efforts in health, education, livelihoods and water and sanitation.
Reconstruction Accomplishments:
Health
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Seven health facilities reconstructed or rehabilitated including:
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upgraded the District Base Hospital at Elpitiya to a Level 'A' facility
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two hospitals renovated—the Tangalle District Hospital Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and Jaffna Teaching Hospital
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four Gramodaya Health Centers constructed in Ampara District
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19 nurse training schools outfitted with medical equipment and supplies
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Teaching materials for 11,000 nursing students currently involved in the nursing education system and teaching staff as of December 2007
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50 health professionals trained in injury surveillance under the trauma and emergency medicine programs at the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Kalutara Base Hospital and Horana Base Hospital.
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Three primary trauma care units and three ambulances fitted with emergency care medical equipment
Livelihoods
Water and Sanitation
Education
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25 schools and education facilities constructed and rehabilitated
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13 new schools constructed and opened as of December 2007 in Valachenai, with more than 7,000 students enrolled; projects included classroom science labs, computer centers, school furniture and books and school supplies for the students
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Six schools being rehabilitated in Trincomallee District in 2008
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Five new schools under construction in Muttur in 2008
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One two-story building under construction for the Navalar College in the Ampara District in 2008
Tsunami Reconstruction Partners
AmeriCares works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition, Ministry of Education, National Water Supply & Drainage Board, and partner organizations including Aloka Trust, Buckingham Trust, CARE International, Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies, Equality-Based Community Support and Trainings, International Medical Corp, Muslim Aid, OfERR Ceylon, Tsunami Education and Rehabilitation Monitor, UNOPS and the World Food Program.
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