Phase 2: Fundraising Proposal

Action & Care Trust (ACT) is a connected, transparent and action-oriented non-profit Trust. We seek your support to continue our urgent medical relief and rehabilitation work for Sri Lankan war survivors. ACT has a three phase implementation plan: Emergency Relief (Phase 1: Complete), Rehabilitation (Phase 2: Underway) and Self Sustainability (Phase 3).

Download Full Proposal: Phase 2 Proposal (PDF)

ACT is not an NGO or similarly organized institution. Executive Trust Members volunteer their time. The significant advantage that ACT has is access. We have a positive relationship with the Army, Ministry Of Health, Presidential Secretariat and other relevant parties in the Sri Lankan government. This enables us to deliver goods into affected areas directly and personally. We have made medical donations during the war to hospitals in the North and currently have unrestricted access to all camps and hospitals.

Our Chairman, Professor A.H Sheriffdeen visits affected hospitals and makes recommendations on medicines and human resources needed. ACT submits these reports to the Ministry of Health, who allow us to publish the findings. Where medicines fall short, we try to meet the need and personally deliver all goods to hospitals and clinics. Goods delivered are inventoried and signed for by the receiving hospital.

Currently, we are moving into Phase 2: Rehabilitation. We deliver medicines, nutritional supplements and toys to Vavuniya General Hospital, Cheddikulam Base Hospital, Puvarasakulam Infectious Diseases Hospital, Padaviya Hospital and Menik Farm. The antibiotics, painkillers, paediatric medicines and nutritional supplements we deliver are consumed very rapidly and there is a constant demand.

Attached are reports on the present conditions of the areas in which we operate and our strategic response. The reports are compiled by ACT representatives in collaboration with area doctors. Most recently, we have seen rapid improvements in the camps but as monsoon rains come in, General Chandrasiri of the Sri Lanka Army has made urgent requests to us for cement, housing and effective waste management, to avoid the further spread of disease.

We require funds, urgently and constantly. We will provide receipts and have the authority to purchase medicine at wholesale prices. All monies raised will be directed toward medicine unless otherwise specified. We also accept donated goods, provided they are energy supplements or products specified as needed.

Action & Care Trust has been given a unique opportunity to continue to save Sri Lankan lives, either directly or indirectly. We will not waste it. Our Trust details including bank information are attached. We have made a commitment to ACT. Please join us.

Summary:

Menik Farm (Zone 4): ACT is supplying medicine, nutritional supplements and educational material to Zone 4. We are also constructing a community center and facilitating 112 units of temporary housing to serve IDPs in the camps.

Menik Farm (Zone 2): ACT is working with a partner to improve sanitation in this Zone, especially toilets and garbage. This is being done via supplies and by facilitating participation from local governments all over the island.

Cheddikulam: Cheddikulam Base Hospital is nearest to the camps. ACT is assisting by supplying medicine and equipment. The children’s and paediatric wards also need sponsorship in the form of equipment, toys, furnishings and more.

Puvarasakulam: This hospital houses rotating patients with infectious diseases. ACT is assisting with medicine and hopes to deliver nutrition and basic amenities to the patients.

Vavuniya: Vavuniya is the largest hospital in the region. It needs constant medical support for changing medical needs. ACT supplies medicine and also promote health and well-being through improved nutrition and recreation for the children.

Phase 2 Proposal (PDF)

ACT Receives Donation From Johanitter

ACT has received a sizable donation from Johanniter, a humanitarian organization with a special focus on medical relief. These funds have already been allocated for specific medicines and medical requirements, as specified by the affected hospitals.

Johanniter Site (via Google Translate)

ACT and Waste Management

One major issue in the camps is sanitation. This leads to further medical problems so ACT is trying to support the responsible authorities with waste management. To that end ACT has facilitated access for 3R Asia (a LIRNEasia program) to make two visits to the camps.

On their latest visit they delivered cleaning supplies, and are also working with the local authorities to roster much needed staff to manage the extraordinary amount of garbage. Their reports are available from the 3R site.

Management of solid waste in the Manic farm IDP camp is a challenge faced by the Vavuniya urban council. If not managed properly, solid waste can bring about a variety of problems especially in a sensitive environment with a high population density with minimal facilities.

In a bid to assist the local governments who has to bear brunt of solid waste management in the IDP camps, a waste management team from Balangoda urban council headed by the council chairman Mr. Nimal Weerasinghe visited Manic farm IDP camp yesterday on a fact finding mission. During the visit discussions were held with Mr. S. Achchutan, ACLG Northern province, Mr. Galigamuwa, Camp manager Zone 2 and Dr. Herath (MOH) IDP camp. (First visit)

LIRNEAsia facilitated a visit to Zone 2 to introduce a recycler and an Effective Microbes (EM) expert  to personnel handing waste within IDP camps. In Block 19 in Zone 1 We met with three IDPs who have previously worked in local authorities in Palavi, Mulaitivu, and  Jaffna, and a Grama niladari  who is now a Grama Niladari for division 19 in zone 2.  These IDP officials were keen to learn how to manage their waste better.  There are 347 families in Block 19 and one kitchen and 24 toilets. The block was well maintained by the young and enthusiastic  Grama Niladari, Mr. Kulasingam.

Ms. Darshini demonstrated how a solution of EM can be used to reduce smells and flies from kitchen waste water . Since the EM solution takes time to act and the impermeable  soil conditions at Menic Farm require that these pits are emptied  every 2-3 days, the tam decided that EM technology is not appropriate for Menic Farm. Mr. Ilias inspteced the condition for the economic feasibility of buying inorganic waste such as plastics, inspected, paper, glass and metal  from residents for recycling and concluded that he would like to do a trial in Zone 2.

Preparations are underway for personnel from Balangoda and other LGAs to visit with and assist Solid waste personnel in Chettikulam PS and IDP (Second Visit)