Current & Future Efforts
Baltimore, MD * October 16, 2010 1
Current Situation in Sri Lanka • We have an opportunity to engage and rebuild • Many different parties have shown interest in working with us, through us • Over 430,000 were displaced in final months of the conflict, but only 82,000 of these were new IDPs – An estimated 28,000 IDPs remain in camps because no place to return to/unsafe areas
2
Resettled People As of 08/26/2010 • Vavuniya Camp • Jaffna Camp • Released • In place of origin • With host families • In transit
- 32,707 2,237 - 292,081 - 216,262 - 71,264 - 3,288
Resettled people in Kilinochchi & Mullaithivu • Kilinochchi - 100,000 • Mullaithivu - 50,000
Current Situation, cont. • “Returnees” have gone back to their communities or settled in new areas, but are far from being “resettled” – Demining is a top priority; need for safe travel roads, clearance of arable land, mine education, etc. – Lack of livelihoods, shelter, food, etc. – Many returnees used their official resettlement packages to buy food & basic items, not rebuilding materials
• 58% of “returnees” are women; children and the elderly make up a significant % as well
5
International Medical Health Organization (IMHO)
North East Monsoon • October to February • Forecast cyclones and flooding due to current La Nina cycle • Waterborne diseases • Malaria • Dengue
Resettled IDP Health Concerns • Mental Health & Psychosocial Rehabilitation • Rehabilitation for Amputees • Primary Care – Disrupted access to medications – Overstretched services, doctors
• Sanitation & Water (esp. for resettled families without infrastructure) • Livelihoods/Empowerment • Lack of health care professionals, support – Training for local personnel
8
Primary Care • • • •
Staff salary Kilinochchi – 3 Pre-interns – $2700 for 3months Mullaithivu – 3 Pre-interns – $2250 for 3 months Mobile Clinic – Mannar – $12,000 for 5,000 patients
Nutrition • Pregnant mothers in Mullaitivu • 1,000 mothers – $30 per mother
Patient Transport • Poor road conditions • Lack of transport services • $2,000 – Patient transport expenses in Mullaitivu area
Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Amputees
12
Focus Effort: Amputee Rehab • Working through local partners with amputees in Jaffna & Mannar • Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR) – Project to help war victims in Northern Sri Lanka left disabled and traumatized from the recent violence to move independently and comfortably through the provision of prostheses and mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, tricycles, walkers, crutches, and walking aids.
13
Jaffna Jaipur Center
International Medical Health Organization (IMHO)
Pledged – $36,000 Given to-date – $24,000
Patient Profile #1 • Father & Son: Jegan (29; below knee amputee) & Antony (9; above knee amputee) from Naavanthurai North, Jaffna, Sri Lanka • Victims of shell blast in Kilinochchi in 2007; fitted with limbs in June 2009
15
Patient Profile #2 • Kamalanathan (10; above knee amputee) from Selvanagar, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka • Lost leg in shell blast on March 30, 2009; fitted with limb in May 2009
16
Patient Profile #3 • Jeyantha (19; upper limb amputee) from Vannankulam, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka • Lost arm in Mullaitivu during tsunami of December 2004; fitted with limb in 2007 • Lost limb during Vanni war in 2009; refitted in June 2009
17
Meththa Foundation International Medical Health Organization (IMHO)
$7,900 – Given Ongoing support for rehab center in Mannar
Patient Care • Kilinochchi-Renovation of in patient unit$10,000 • Home for Vettimanai residents • Jaffna- Mobile mental health services
Shelter for Returnees • $33 per family for Cadjan roof • $4,000 given
Microcredit & Livelihoods Support— Key to Rebuilding Lives…
21
Focus Effort: Livelihoods Empowerment
22
Microcredit project • Survivors Associated - $10,000 pledged; $5,000 given. • Kilinochchi – through KAMHA - $9,500 • 22 families benefitted • Tailoring shop • Tuition center
Ananthapuram- $9,500 • • • • • •
95 families 22 families already supported Carpentry Poultry Mechanic shop Auto- three wheeler
Microcredit project, cont.
Microcredit project, cont.
Microcredit, cont. • Returns- already started to come- Rs. 1,000/month • This money will be used to support the other families in this village • Then to move to the next village • One village at a time
Education and Training • Tailoring school • Tutoring class for school students
Mental Health Issues Present Huge Challenge
Focus Effort: Mental Health • Mental health has been identified repeatedly by those on the ground as being the area of greatest need • Many coping with issues of trauma, depression, displacement, loss of family members/homes, need for reunification, emotional distress, hopelessness, etc. – – – – – –
Collapse of string binding structures, family units Guilt: for surviving, not being able to bury dead, etc. Lack of livelihood, feelings of self-worth Personality disorders, poor impulse control, aggression, anti-social Domestic violence Fear of death, hunger, suffering, etc.
30
Recent Milestone • Registration of IMHO Lanka (September 2010) – With increasing space for INGOs, IMHO Lanka can serve as implementing partner
• Success of growth & independence of IMHO Canada • CDN $103,570 in 2010 projects to-date ($138,170 w/ pledges)
31
IMHO Canada Efforts • Sivan Arul Illam--$22,800 – For nutritional/educational support for orphans and physiotherapy trainees
• KAMHA--$6,700 – 3-wheeler for patient transport and staff support
• CHA--$37,470 – 50 permanent toilets for returned IDP families
• RDHS Jaffna--$3,500 ($11,000 pledged) – Nutritional support for 250 malnourished pregnant mothers
32
IMHO Canada Efforts, cont. • Tellipalai Mental Health Society--$5,500 ($24,000 pledged) – Support of multi-disciplinary intervention team
• Delft Hospital--$9,600 – Medical equipment and facilities improvement
• JJCDR--$3,000 – 25 indoor wheelchairs for amputees
• MSF Canada--$5,000 – Haiti earthquake disaster relief
33
IMHO Canada Efforts, cont. • Maga Sakthy Women Federation--$5,000 ($9,300 pledged) – Microcredit/income-generation support for war-affected womenheaded households in Kilinochchi
• Youga Sakthy Women Federation--$5,000 ($9,300 pledged) – Microcredit/income-generation support for war-affected womenheaded households in Kilinochchi
34
Future Projects • Continued support of amputee rehab through Meththa Foundation, JJCDR, and Handicap International
35
Future Projects, cont. • Development of community medical clinic for povertyand disaster-affected people in Petit-Goave, Haiti with Henri Gerard Desgranges Foundation ($32K grant)
36
Future Efforts, cont. • Ethiopia volunteer medical mission trip to Bahir Dar/Debark, Northwest Ethiopia in partnership with the Amhara Development Association (ADA) – Laying foundation for future effort(s) – Sent shipment of glucometers, medicines, hygiene supplies, sports equipment, etc. valued at $14,000
37
Future Projects, cont. • Jaffna University student support: $5,500 • Palliative Care Center at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital in partnership with Indo American Cancer Association • Possible ICT/telehealth project for maternal & child health at Jaffna in partnership with consortium under Global Partners United • Alcohol/addiction hotline for Northeast • Livelihoods/self-employment support and other efforts through Colombo Rotary Club
38
Moving Forward • Continue to pursue USAID funding • Explore social ventures and public-private partnerships • Establishment of IMHO European Union still in the works • Plan to coordinate volunteer teams to Sri Lanka in very near future based off ground needs
39
Support Our Work • Donate online at www.TheIMHO.org • Send a check made out to “IMHO” to: IMHO Treasurer, PO Box 61265, Staten Island, NY 10306 • Become a monthly donor…just $1/day (or $30/month) will support our efforts to rebuild lives throughout Sri Lanka • All donations are tax-deductible
40
Volunteer! • We will be issuing a call for volunteers to go work in Sri Lanka very soon! Start spreading the word… • Always looking for Chapter Coordinators in new cities & states • Volunteer at local events • Network on our behalf • Offer your professional services – Web/computers, graphic design, accounting, videography/photography, printing, medical/consulting, etc. 41
Service is a commitment‌
42