A sample first-aid box being handed to the DGHS, Dr. Jayasundara Bandara by Americares Team Leader, Asanga Ranasinghe. Dr. Novil Wijesekera and Dr. Asanka Wedamullafrom the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of Ministry of Health are also in the picture

At the request of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health, the relief and development organization Americares donated multipurpose first-aid boxes to be used by field staff in the Kaluthara District. Several samples of the boxes were handed to the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Health in Colombo.

At the request of the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka, Americares immediately mobilised in the aftermath of the floods in May this year. Americares launched an emergency response and early recovery programme in Matara and Kaluthara.

In Matara, Americares distributed 300 hygiene kits to children and adults at two safe locations serving as temporary shelters. 

In collaboration with the RDHS (Regional Director of Health Services) in Kaluthara, Americares recruited 14 CSO (Community Support Officers) to be deployed in six MoH (Medical Officer of Health) areas. The CSOs fulfil the important task of visiting households in the flood-affected areas to identify and refer individuals and groups who require psychosocial support.

In addition, Americares identified two MCH (Maternal and Child Health) cinics in the Bulathsinhala area that were damaged. Americares will make full renovations to theIhala Welagama and Paragoda clinics, which were damaged due to completely being covered bythe flood waters.

Established in 1979, Americares is a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies. Americares has been working in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami since 2005 and completed many projects, including the construction of four-story ward complex at Elpitiya Base Hospital and four-story ward complex at Trincomalee District General Hospital.