Although it has now been over three and a half years since the 2004 Asia Tsunami, recent flooding, the on-going conflict and inter-communal violence in Sri Lanka remind us that Irish Red Cross support for building health clinics and hospitals addresses a very real and enduring need.

The Irish Red Cross is supporting the construction of 6 health facilities in Sri Lanka. Following the completion of the refurbishment and extension of Panadura Maternity Clinic in the west of the Country in March, this summer has seen further milestones reached at Kallar District Hospital, Batticaloa in the east of the country.

May saw the handover of a newly constructed residential unit which provides accommodation for up to 16 doctors and nurses. This marks completion of the first of 3 phases of works at the hospital. Phase 2, which is currently in progress, will see the construction and equipping of a new two-story wing containing medical and surgical wards, a maternity ward and labour room, administration and training facilities. Phase 3 will involve the renovation of the old existing wing.

In June, the Irish Red Cross also provided the hospital with its first ever ambulance at a time when an upsurge of inter-communal violence in neighbouring towns highlighted the value of such an essential service in a volatile environment.

These developments not only represent support for an overburdened medical service as a result of both the Tsunami and Sri Lanka's on-going internal conflict but importantly represents an investment in local capacity to respond to emergencies in the future.