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This is a video report of a trip ACT Lanka took to Padaviya. This time there were two convoys, one to Vavuniya, one to Padaviya. From the warzone casualties go/went to Palmudai via boat. From there they travel to the transit hospital and Padaviya for urgent care. Then they are sent to bigger hospitals in cities like Vavuniya. This video shows the goods being loaded, offloaded, inventoried, and some token toys being immediately distributed. This was actually ready to show a week ago, but since the info is sensitive we waited.

Sending supplies consists of raising funds here, buying the stuff, getting clearances and then taking the trucks through Medavachchiya. There is a very thorough check there, going into pill boxes even. There is a ton of relief going up, we passed literally 25-30 container trucks in one go. The people I saw up there were WFP, Red Cross, UN. They’re taking everything from food to building supplies to household amenities. From Meda we split to Vavuniya and Padaviya, which are just a few hours away on pretty good roads.

The Ministry Of Health has really improved supplies to the hospitals and transported our civilian goods. There’s still a lot more to do. There’s malnutrition, pneumonia, Hepatitis A, and scabies, all of which need pretty urgent treatment. We’re trying to address those needs urgently. The doctors and nurses are working unbelievably hard, as are the armed forces and the Red Cross. We cannot thank them enough. Outside from normal ACT funds, we raised separate money from friends and bought the doctors some coffee and chocolates and things just to say thank you.

For much more detailed info on what’s going on I’d recommend reading the Vavuniya and Padaviya situation reports.

Posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2009 in Sri Lanka, Video.