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Some pictures from our recent aid drop to Pottuvil, Ampara District. Pictures show Dr Sameen, the MOH for Pottuvil receiving the donation of 1000 mosquito nets, 3500 metres of plastic sheeting, 1000 sleeping mats and 1000 bedsheets. The delivery is to be distributed amongst a number of camps in Pottuvil area (there are 16 camps in this area alone). In these camps we found people sleeping on concrete floors or directly on the soil beneath the makeshift tents that have been erected. This is a malaria endemic area and, as yet, nobody else has delivered mosquito nest here. Although costly, the nets are essential. The total cost of this trip was approximately $8000 USD.

Dr Sameen is going to fax us another list of items that the big NGOs are not delivering. Again, we see our role here as filling in the gaps left by the major aid suppliers. Whilst we hope to make our resources last as long as possible we also need to respond to certain immediate needs that we can fulfil. The nets themselves are one of the most expensive items required by the refugees so the cost is often prohibitive for some organisations. However, having spent a few nights exposed to the mosquitoes in this area ourselves, it's difficult to call 3.5 USD dear for sleeping untormented and reducing the risk of outbreaks of malaria.

We are currently considering dropping another load of nets to the camps in this area having got more detailed information about what numbers are required. We have been contacting other aid agencies and NGOs to see if there are plans for others to donate nets or, if not, if there are supplies of nets we can deliver on behalf of others as we know places with immediate need for them. Searches have so far proved fruitless and we are going to have to foot the bill ourselves. Again, we believe they are a valuable recourses which will significantly improve quality of life for families that receive them.

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