Welcome to IMHO USA

Relief Efforts

From January through May 2009, the North and East of Sri Lanka experienced an intense spike in violence, as the country's long-standing civil conflict continued to play out. The war was officially declared over in May 2009 when the government regained control over all territory. As a result of the conflict, hundreds of thousands of persons were displaced, and daily life was severely disrupted throughout the affected regions. Since February 2009, IMHO responded to the needs as they arose. Even now that this conflict has concluded and almost all have been resettled, IMHO remains committed to serving the humanitarian needs of these persons who have been affected by this conflict.

In 2009-2010, IMHO's efforts in response to this humanitarian situation included support for nutrition, medicines, mobile medical clinics, hygienic kits & clothes, hospital renovations, construction of toilets, construction of tube wells, physical rehabilitation for amputees, establishment of a medical students support fund, orphans support, mental health services, microcredit/micro-grants, and more. What a difference this all has made in helping those at the ground to save lives and to improve the conditions and quality of life for those who survived this terrible tragedy.

Photos of Crisis & IDPs

Photo Gallery 1: Affected by War

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Photo Gallery 2: Child Malnutrition

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Photo Gallery 3: April 2009

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Photo Gallery 4: May 2009

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Photo Gallery 5: Hospital Renovation for IDPs

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Photo Gallery 6: Semi-Permanent Ward for Pregnant Women

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Photo Gallery 7: Poor Conditions in IDP Camps

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Amputee Rehab

IMHO has lent its support to a number of projects to serve the needs of war amputees and the physically disabled throughout Northern Sri Lanka. Working with a handful of partner organizations, including Survivors Associated, the Meththa Foundation, Motivation Charitable Trust, Sivan Arul Illam, the Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), Mannar District General Hospital, and others, IMHO is committed to the full and comprehensive rehabilitation of war victims and others who are disabled. Efforts have included support for corrective surgeries to be done on amputated limbs, the fitting of artificial limbs, pre- and post-op physiotherapy, counseling & psychosocial services, provision of wheelchairs & other orthotic/mobility devices, livelihoods support, and more. With as many as 20,000 amputees and disabled persons, the needs are massive. Many continue to suffer from physical and mental trauma, lack of occupation, discomfort, and lack of mobility, all of which must be addressed urgently.

IMHO has committed a significant amount of funds for these efforts since 2009 onward. IMHO Canada has also taken strides towards supporting these efforts as well.

Photo Gallery: Mannar Amputee Rehab

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Photo Gallery: Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation

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Livelihoods & Microfinance

Oftentimes the key to returning patients and those who have endured great hardship to good health is through livelihoods support. There still remains much to be done in serving vulnerable war-affected persons living in poverty in Sri Lanka and bringing them to their feet again. The loss of property and livelihoods remains a major obstacle in the way of these persons restarting their lives with confidence and with the tools to succeed. Small-scale microfinance efforts have helped people worldwide to emerge from poverty and reclaim their lives, their health, and their futures. The opportunity has now arisen for such efforts to be undertaken in the war-affected regions of Sri Lanka, to assist those in need in returning to a situation of economic stability. Whether these persons engage in agriculture, animal breeding, poultry farming, small-scale business, or any other industry, access to micro-grants, education on microfinance, and mobilization of persons into small collectives leads to empowerment and income generation. Such income generation holds the key to meeting the needs of one's family, upgrading the standard of living, and returning to a sense of normalcy. It also helps to address many of the psychological stressors and mental health issues that have emerged on account of recent events. With such great loss and suffering, mental disorders and suicide rates have spiked in the post-conflict period. Microfinance and livelihoods support are crucial to helping people in need to rebuild their lives. Recognizing the dire need to rebuild livelihoods and small industries for families, IMHO has committed support to a number of these initiatives throughout Sri Lanka.

Photo Gallery: Microfinance

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Photo Gallery: Restoring Livelihoods in Kilinochchi

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Photo Gallery: Empowering Women Trishaw Drivers

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Education

As families displaced by the war continue to return to their native areas throughout Northeast Sri Lanka, most are finding that they essentially have to start over. With the destruction of homes, schools, roads, and much more throughout the protracted conflict, the rebuilding process is going to be long and full of incredible challenges. One of the most acute needs repeatedly emphasized by local partners at the ground is that of rehabilitating the local educational infrastructure amongst the resettled areas. IMHO has supported a number of smaller efforts in this regard, helping to supply students with notebooks, book bags, school supplies, and bicycles, as well as helping to fund after-school tuition centers. Such efforts are vital for the overall development, both current and future, of these most highly affected areas as people strive to rebuild.

Photo Gallery: Education Efforts

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