Welcome to IMHO Canada

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 Canada has worked alongside IMHO USA in responding to needs as they arose. The organization has provided support for the installation of 50 toilets in resettlement homes, basic needs & nutritional support for orphans, rehabilitation for amputees, and more. IMHO Canada remains committed to serving the humanitarian needs of these persons and others on the outside who have been affected by this conflict for years to come...

Photos of Crisis & IDPs

Photo Gallery 1: Affected by War

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 2: Child Malnutrition

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 3: April 2009

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 4: May 2009

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 5: Hospital Renovation for IDPs

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 6: Semi-Permanent Ward for Pregnant Women

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery 7: Poor Conditions in IDP Camps

Click thumbnails to view images.

Amputee Rehab

Working with a handful of partner organizations, including Sivan Arul Illam Trust and the Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), IMHO Canada is committed to the full and comprehensive rehabilitation of war victims and others with disabilities. With as many as 25,000-30,000+ civilian war 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 Canada has made amputee rehabilitation a top priority for 2010 and has committed support for the employment & training of physiotherapists, the production & supply of all-terrain wheelchairs, and more.

Photo Gallery: Mannar Amputee Rehab

Click thumbnails to view images.

Photo Gallery: Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation

Click thumbnails to view images.

Microcredit

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 microcredit 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 microcredit, 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. Microcredit is crucial to helping people in need to rebuild their lives. Recognizing the dire need to rebuild livelihoods and small industries for families, IMHO Canada has committed support to a number of microcredit initiatives throughout Sri Lanka.

Photo Gallery: Microcredit

Click thumbnails to view images.