Sri Lanka
Situation Report
On December 26, 2004, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years shook the Indian Ocean and created a tsunami that crashed ashore in nearly a dozen countries, drowning hundreds of thousands of people. The tsunami killed more than 40,000 people in Sri Lanka and destroyed homes, businesses and hospitals. Sri Lanka’s two major industries, tourism and fishing, were devastated.
Due to the mass population displacement following the tsunami and recurring ethnic conflicts, the vulnerability of people and rate of HIV and AIDS in Sri Lanka has increased. In addition, studies have shown a need for education on personal hygiene and community hygiene practices, including hand washing and waste disposal, in order to improve the health of children and their families.
Sri Lanka also has a weak emergency response system. The leading cause of death and the number one reason for hospital admission is trauma and injury. Many people also sustain secondary injuries during transport to hospitals and clinics because first responders are ill-equipped to care for them properly.
Our Work
We run several programs in Sri Lanka. Our work focuses on the development of a national pre-hospital and trauma care system, maternal and child health in rural communities, and HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Since December 2004, we have:
- Provided medical assistance, constructed temporary field hospitals and distributed medicines and medical supplies for tens of thousands of internally displaced people in the north and east regions of the country.
- Partnered with the Sri Lankan Trauma Secretariat to pilot the first ever pre-hospital care system in Sri Lanka. Our work involves training several thousand nationals in First Aid, developing First Responder and Emergency Medical Training courses and drafting regulations for ambulances.
- Partnered with the Ministry of Health and local agencies to deliver a community health project that is improving rural family health in the Ampara Distrct (East Sri Lanka).
- Awarded grants to local agencies to support temporary shelter projects for 2,500 families.
- Rehabilitated and equipped the Siyambalanduwa Hospital in Monaragal District and renovated and equipped the Central Ministry of Health Dispensary in Tiriyai district.
- Shipped more than $25 million worth of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and emergency medical services supplies through the Ministry of Health.
Future Plans
This year, Medical Teams International plans to:
- Provide medical assistance for the internally displaced people in northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
- Ensure that our Emergency Medical Services projects remain sustainable and supported by the local community.
- Increase knowledge and improve nutrition and hygiene practices among pregnant women and mothers of young children in Ampara District.
Our Partners
- As a major Sri Lankan partner, all of our medical projects and reconstruction efforts are coordinated through the Government of Sri Lanka / Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition. Medical Teams International has provided more than $26 million worth of pharmaceuticals to a free medicine program run by the Ministry of Health.
- The International Center for Emergency Techniques (ICET) is an international institute for risk, crisis and disaster management, founded in 1993 and based in The Netherlands. Medical Teams International is partnering with ICET to strengthen the EMS system in Sri Lanka. The group has constructed hospitals, donated medical supplies and outfitted fire stations in 18 major cities with ambulances and fire trucks. They also fund an exchange program by sending Sri Lankan fire and rescue workers in the Netherlands for technical training.
- Sarvodaya is Sri Lanka’s largest charity and is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of rural Sri Lankans. Founded by a Sri Lankan schoolteacher in 1958, their grassroots movement now reaches 15,000 villages in 34 districts with 1,500 staff. Saravodya is dedicated to the sustainable empowerment of people through self-help, collective support, non-violence and peace.
- The Sri Lanka Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Governments has partnered with the Dutch government to improve the fire & rescue departments in 18 cities and villages in Sri Lanka. As part of this project, ambulances will be stationed at the Fire Brigades and will provide emergency care and transportation in the communities. Medical Teams International is supporting this critical infrastructure development project by providing the specialized pre-hospital care training (EMT) and providing technical support for the system.
- The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRC) began in 1936 and currently has 100,000 members and 6,500 active volunteers. Medical Teams International is currently training Red Cross ambulance staff and providing essential pre-hospital EMS equipment and supplies in order to increase the capacity of their services.
- The Trauma Secretariat of Sri Lanka works to provide timely, appropriate, quality and cost-effective medical care to trauma victims. The government agency is currently working to implement a coordinated, responsive and sustainable trauma system.
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