IMHO International Projects Report

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS & OUTREACH December 2008

Table of Contents Background……………………...1

International Medical Health Organization (IMHO)

Report on the Efforts of IMHO in Communities & Regions Across the Globe

International Support….……….1

BACKGROUND

International Outreach

As an international humanitarian organization that focuses on developing and improving healthcare in underserved regions, the International Medical Health Organization (IMHO) is committed to helping those in need in all corners of the globe. IMHO works to improve sustainable healthcare development in disadvantaged areas by creating, complementing, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

The organization works by first identifying health needs, and then providing resources and training to address those needs.

While IMHO is known for the work it does primarily in the impoverished and conflict-ridden regions of northeastern Sri Lanka, the organization has lived up to its name as being truly international in scope by engaging communities in countries the world over. Even within Sri Lanka itself, IMHO has supported efforts in communities island-wide, from Colombo to Galle to Hill Country to Batticaloa to Jaffna, the organization has a dedicated history to helping all in need regardless of geographic location.

Response to Natural & Human Disasters: Louisiana, USA………………2 Pakistan………………………2 Bangladesh………...………..2 Burma…………………………2 DRC…………………………...3 Development Projects: India…………………………..3 Diaspora Health………………..4 Conclusion………………………4

Contact IMHO PO Box 61265 Staten Island, New York 10306 United States www.theimho.org Questions? Donations?

Call (718) 667-3535 or email treasurer@theimho.org EIN: 59-3779465

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT Looking foremost at the support base of the organization, IMHO has been privileged in having the support and encouragement of many across several countries. Supporters of the organization come from all over the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, & Sri Lanka. IMHO is a registered, tax-exempt charity in the United States, and a registered not-for-profit organization in Canada. IMHO keeps in regular communication with all supporters and frequently holds events to share the important work the organization does.

Response to International Disasters in USA, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, & Democratic Rep. of Congo INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Response to Natural & Human Disasters In addition to the many projects that IMHO has implemented and supported over the years across all regions of Sri Lanka, significant efforts have been supported in many other countries as well. Following the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had on the state of Louisiana, the IMHO team decided to support local efforts to benefit those in need here in the United States. A total of $5,300 was raised by the IMHO state coordinator in Texas and given to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts there. This set a precedent for future efforts in which IMHO responded (and continues to respond) to other major humanitarian crises.

Just a few months later, the South Asian nation of Pakistan was hit by a tremendous earthquake that took the lives of more than 80,000 people. The quake, which was centered in the Kashmir region of Pakistan, measured a 7.6 on the Richter Scale and had ruinous effect. To make matters worse, the quake struck just before winter, leaving millions homeless in the cold. IMHO, recognizing the great need for aid, sprung into action and held a charity cricket match in Maryland, which raised $4,000 for the cause. The funds have been designated for Operation USA in restricted funding, waiting to be released to them when the political situation settles. The funds will be used to assist with their relief efforts, specifically for birth kits for pregnant women in the disaster zone.

In November 2007, IMHO responded to a powerful cyclone that pounded the nation of Bangladesh. Cyclone Sidr was a category 5 cyclone when it made landfall in the impoverished South Asian nation. A gift of $5,000 was given to the US wing of a local NGO in Bangladesh called BRAC, which works with people whose lives are dominated by extreme poverty, illiteracy, disease and other handicaps. With multifaceted development interventions, BRAC strives to bring about positive changes in the quality of life of the poor people of Bangladesh.

A similar natural disaster occurred just a few months later in May 2008 in Burma (Myanmar), as Cyclone Nargis devastated the Southeast Asian nation. Believed to be responsible for the deaths of as many as 200,000 persons, Cyclone Nargis created one of the worst humanitarian situations in recent times. Again, IMHO saw the incredible need for immediate relief aid and generously gave $16,517 to Operation USA to help with the overall relief effort, including getting survivors access to medicines and healthcare.

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International Development Work & Outreach

Photo courtesy of Medecins Sans Frontieres

Response to Natural & Human Disasters, continued‌ Finally, as the political and humanitarian situation quickly deteriorated in 2008 in the already battered African nation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the total number and the overall needs of refugees in that country continues to multiply. The DRC is still coming to grips with the massive needs of the refugees and those caught in the conflict zones and has turned to the international community to help address the innumerable needs of those most at risk. IMHO thus gave $5,000 to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), a reputable worldwide NGO that brings health and medical care to those in the most remote, neglected, and conflict-prone areas. These funds will help to assist with the medical relief work being done on behalf of refugees across DRC.

Development Projects IMHO is currently working towards its first healthcare project in India, which will be a positive first step in engaging rural communities in this country to help address their many healthcare needs. The proposed new project will be located in the village of Ponnekallu, part of the rural district of Guntur in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. With the new construction of a free primary healthcare center, the village's popluation of about 9,000 persons will undoubtedly benefit. In addition, those from surrounding villages, such as Ravela, Damarapalli, Bejathpuram, Garikapadu, Pamulapadu and Bandarupalli will also benefit, as the nearest healthcare facilities are in the City of Gunter, about 25 miles away. None of these villages have either a government or a privately run permanent healthcare facility.

The main goal of this project is to construct and maintain the primary healthcare facility in Ponnekallu village in Andhra Pradesh, with the support of local families from the beneficiary village and other generous donors. Like many other such facilities already implemented by IMHO, the primary focus of this healthcare center will be diagnosis and treatment of primary acute healthcare, and of providing proper medication and treatment for many lifestyle-affected ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol problems, etc. Additionally, it will provide pediatric care and address the nutritional needs of pregnant women, for which this area is

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considered to be below the standards of the WHO for this region of Asia. The Government of Andra Pradesh is in the process of allotting the land for this essential project, and local villagers, along with foreign-residing families, are also joining hands together for this to happen as soon as possible.

Diaspora Health Another crucial component of IMHO’s international outreach is its diaspora health program, which is targeted at the many persons of Sri Lankan descent living outside of Sri Lanka in all corners of the world. IMHO volunteers have appeared on TVi, a small television station based in Toronto, Canada, to discuss a variety of health-related topics. These programs have been conducted as live viewer call-in programs, during which IMHO volunteers answer basic questions and provide greater awareness of health issues among the community.

Current efforts are also focused on translating any relevant materials, so that they are more easily understood by those for whom English is a second or third language.

Volunteers with IMHO have also provided multiple health-related presentations on topics relevant to immigrants living in the United States and Canada.

These presentations are made to community groups, such as a talk on osteoporosis to a group of elderly individuals. Other presentations and information deal with the reality that increased life expectancies are seen in wealthy societies with a Western lifestyle. As a result, areas of health problems not commonly addressed in developing countries, such as mental illness, cancer, or geriatrics become more prevalent among the immigrant communities. Though problems from infectious disease and malnutrition are uncommon in the West, a different set of problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes becomes much more common. In addressing these concerns and more, IMHO is working on refining its presentations, materials, and overall outreach to the Sri Lankan diaspora community all over the world.

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CONCLUSION After being formally recognized as a charity organization in 2003, IMHO has come a long way in better understanding and addressing the needs of those in disadvantaged and struggling communities worldwide. IMHO has been focused not only on the healthcare needs and overall well-being of those in northeastern Sri Lanka, it has also been able to effectively reach out to those in need in places as diverse as Pakistan, Burma, Bangladesh, India, the United States, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as many regions within Sri Lanka itself. Through its international outreach, done with the support of an international network of supporters, IMHO has proven itself to be a truly global organization focused on improving the welfare of all citizens of the world.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY! As always, we thrive only with your support.

Please help IMHO in our many efforts worldwide and make a tax-exempt donation to IMHO today by sending a check to: Dr. Rajam Theventhiran IMHO Treasurer PO Box 61265 Staten Island, New York 10306 USA Thank you for your support and generosity!

Photo courtesy of Medecins Sans Frontieres