Doctors Without Borders

Published purpose

For over two decades, a civil war has raged in Sri Lanka between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Despite the end of hostilities in May 2009, the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka continues to be of concern. Approximately 300,000 internally displaced people are now located in government-controlled camps and transit sites. As of mid-August, a small number of the displaced had begun to return home. The massive influx of internally displaced persons placed severe strain on the humanitarian services available. The key challenges include: insufficient access to food and potable water, poor sanitation, overcrowded conditions, over-stretched health and education infrastructure, and protection concerns for vulnerable populations and people with special needs. Doctors Without Borders is responding to the health and medical needs of the internally displaced population located at Menik Farm camp in Vavuniya District, Northern Sri Lanka, through the establishment of a field emergency surgical hospital. The hospital is providing secondary and tertiary quality medical and surgical services for the displaced population.