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March - August 2009 - Response to IDPs in Sri Lanka
In February, 2009, Tamil populations displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka were forced to re-locate to displacement camps in the north of the country. Approximately 260,000 people are still living in the camps; the majority in Menik Farm.
GlobalMedic initially responded in March by deploying its Rapid Response Team, providing clean drinking water and restoring emergency healthcare to aid those displaced. Clean water was provided by three methods: portable water purification units, Aquatab water purification tablets and PUR Purifier of water sachets. Emergency healthcare was restored by installing two 22’ by 42’ inflatable field hospitals.
The GlobalMedic team facilitated training sessions and real-time exercises for members of the Muslim Aid Sri Lanka Field Office on the operation of water purification units, inflatable field hospitals, Aquatab Water Purification Tablets and PUR Purifier of Water. When populations are forced to shift suddenly, water systems are rarely available. Many will succumb to acute watery diarrhea as a result of drinking contaminated water. GlobalMedic’s water purification units produce a range of 4 litres to 100 litres of clean drinking water every minute; enough drinking water for 1,000 to 60,000 people every day.
The inflatable field hospitals are still operational in Menik Farm. Since April, the hospitals have been treating an average of 1,500 people per day. The staff has been treating a variety of conditions ranging from shrapnel wounds to severe exhaustion and severe dehydration. The results from the hospital have been very encouraging. The rate of fatalities in the hospitals is now reported as virtually zero. GlobalMedic’s hospitals are saving the lives of those living in the extreme conditions of the camps.
The Aquatab water purification tablets are extremely useful in providing clean drinking water in large displacement camps. One small tablet purifies one litre of water. Instructions on their proper use are easily translated and training sessions are facilitated in Tamil. Their efficient size allows for the easy distribution of large quantities.
PUR Purifier of Water is also very useful in providing clean drinking water for displaced populations. Essentially a flocculent, PUR coagulates debris and chlorinates the water to render dirty water drinkable. This is a vital item when populations are forced to reside in camps where no public infrastructure exists. Each sachet of PUR cleans and purifies 10 litres of clean drinking water.
The Tamil community in Canada is large and vibrant. They have also proved to be very passionate about providing humanitarian assistance to fellow Tamils in Sri Lanka. The Tamil community has risen over $60,000 CAD towards GlobalMedic’s disaster relief program for displaced Tamils in the north of Sri Lanka. This has enabled GlobalMedic to augment our programs in Sri Lanka.
Since GlobalMedic’s initial deployment in March, the health outlook for those in the camps has steadily improved. The hospitals are fully functional and saving lives, however, the need to keep the hospitals stocked with supplies will endure for the duration of the camps’ existence. Drawing from the financial support of the Tamil community in Canada, GlobalMedic is continuing to support this extensive health program. In July, GlobalMedic sent a consignment of Aquatabs, PUR sachets and Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) sachets to augment the existing healthcare supplies in Menik Farm and areas where Tamils are beginning to re-settle.
Once permitted to leave the camps, many begin the journey home. Unfortunately, upon returning home, most will have little left to sustain livelihoods in a household. That’s why GlobalMedic has also included the distribution of non-food item kits and hygiene kits to those recently re-settled as a portion of our response. A needs assessment was conducted to ensure items included in the non-food item kits were necessary and would not be duplicated by other efforts. The non-food item kits include kitchen pots, plates, spoons, plates, jugs, buckets, lanterns, agricultural equipment. 850 were distributed in Mannar District where some 2,000 families have recently left the camps in Menik Farm. 1,200 Hygiene Kits were also distributed in Menik Farms and included bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and dish soap. The kits were distributed to Tamil communities recently re-settled in Mannar and Batticaloa Districts.
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In addition to household items and hygienic kits, a sustainable, long-term source of clean drinking water is vital for those returning home from displacement camps. Water systems have been neglected, destroyed and compromised as a result of the war in the north and the east of Sri Lanka. In order to overcome this, GlobalMedic is planning to implement a biosand program in affected zones of Sri Lanka. Filters will be delivered and installed into households in need of a clean water source.
GlobalMedic is proud to announce the launch of its Sri Lanka “Water for the Resettled” Program. GlobalMedic will continue to accept donations on behalf of the displaced Tamil populations in Sri Lanka. Proceeds will be collected for the “Water for the Resettled” program. For $110 CAD, you can provide clean drinking water for a recently resettled Tamil family in Sri Lanka. This bio-sand water unit will provide the family with a sustainable source of clean drinking water for the next 10 years.
GlobalMedic’s “Water for the Resettled” Program
GlobalMedic’s rebuilding program in the north of Sri Lanka will provide access to sustainable, long-term sources of clean drinking water for returning IDP’s. The program will be focused on the installation of biosand filters to beneficiary families recently returned home from displacement camps. GlobalMedic will set up operations for the construction of biosand filters in Sri Lanka, which will employ local labour and local materials to produce the filters. The filters will then be distributed throughout resettlement areas to families in need by GlobalMedic and local Sri Lankan NGO partners. The filters will be distributed free of cost to beneficiaries and will include an educational component with each delivery. This educational component will include proper use and maintenance of the biosand filters, in addition to proper hand washing and sanitation training. GlobalMedic will also provide water testing and filter maintenance.
GlobalMedic is now accepting donations for our Biosand program in Sri Lanka.
Click here to donate now.
Complex Emergency - Update
June 1, 2009
Sri Lanka
GlobalMedic's 2nd field hospital is officially operational as of today. The 22 foot by 42 foot inflatable field hospital is providing instant mobile medical assistance in Zone 4 of Menik Farm. The 1st hospital was operational in April in Zone 2 and is treating over 1300 patients a day.
The additional consignment of water purification units have also reached Menik Farm in northern Sri Lanka and will provide clean drinking water for over 70,000 people per day. Which increases GlobalMedic's capacity to 140,000 people per day receiving clean drinking water.
Complex Emergency - Update
May 15th, 2009
Sri Lanka
Toronto, Canada
GlobalMedic is deploying an additional consignment of water purification units to Sri Lanka which will provide clean drinking water for over 70,000 people per day, in addition to another 22 foot by 42 foot inflatable field hospital to instantly provide mobile medical assistance.
Watch the video of the loading here
GlobalMedic Volunteers Loading the aid shipment for Sri Lanka |
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Complex Emergency - Update
May 4th, 2009
Vavunia, Sri Lanka
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GlobalMedic and Muslim Aid are operating an inflatable field hospital in northern Sri Lanka providing medical treatment to those displaced by the ongoing conflict. The hospital is treating an average of 1,000 patients per day. Some of those seeking treatment are in critical condition and are receiving life-saving medical attention.
Water Purification Units have also been installed in the north and have the capacity to provide 70,000 people with clean drinking water each day.
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GlobalMedic facilitated training on the water purification units to local members of Muslim Aid. The units, like the hospital, are mobile and can be re-deployed to different areas in the case of IDP population shifts and the volatile nature of the conflict.
GlobalMedic provided training on the operation and maintenance of the inflatable field hospital and is currently seeking resources in order to provide an additional hospital for the region as there is a definite need for additional emergency medical infrastructure.
Complex Emergency - Update
March 29, 2009
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On March 23, 2009 GlobalMedic deployed a 3 member Rapid Response Team to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan people have been displaced across the island country since violence first erupted in 1983. Over 70,000 people have been killed in fighting between government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces. In addition to physical safety concerns, the conflict has seriously affected the supply of critical food aid and medical supplies, and has exacerbated the previously worrying shelter, water and sanitation situation. They are experiencing serious shortages of food, medicine and clean water, and as a result increasing numbers are becoming ill. It is estimated that there are at least 433,000 conflict-affected individuals comprised of 313,000 IDPs, 20,000 returnees and 100,000 in affected communities.
GlobalMedic’s response is in partnership with Muslim Aid U.K's Sri Lanka Field Office, and will include the set-up of water distribution points through the installation of water purification units, the distribution of 92,800 sachets of PuR Purifier of Water, as well as the set up of an inflatable field hospital. The water units will provide daily clean drinking water to over 70,000 beneficiaries, while the PuR sachets will provide 920, 800 litres of clean drinking water.
GlobalMedic has donated the 22 x 42 foot inflatable field hospital to the people of Sri Lanka. This hospital will restore access to medical infrastructure. Its functional uses include hospital, warehouse and command center space with high visibility. The hospital inflates in less than ten minutes and takes only 20 minutes total to set up. The hospital is versatile and adaptable to any work environment and requires a minimum amount of training for operational set-up and maintenance.
Click below to download the U.N Menik Farm IDP Shelter Map (Zones 0-3)
Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka
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