Lifeline Daily Radio Show #260 (28 January 2010)

ChildVision and ORHAN are partnering on a program for children with special needs in the Vavuniya camps. Health infrastructure is being built up in resettled areas, says Northern Province Governor. Also, Lifeline speaks to returnees on life after resettlement.

-Help for children with special needs
-Health needs of returnees
-Life after resettlement

PLUS
-Thought for the day
-International Story – Child abductions in Yemen
-Come, Let’s Learn: Sinhala/Tamil Language lesson
-Radio Drama: Mine Risk Education
-Mine Risk Education PSAs
-Memories: A landmine survivors in Jaffna on his experience
-Health Tips

 Help for children with special needs
ChildVision and ORHAN (Organisation for Rehabilitation of the Handicapped) are partnering on a program to help children with special needs in the Vavuniya camps.
Nearly 6000 people with special needs are in the camp, 600 children among them, said  T.Subramaniam, Chairman of ORHAN. “We have set up schools for these children in Ananda Kumarswamy, Rahamanathan and Arunachalam camps. We are also providing them with meals,” he explained.
Mohammed Sumail, CEO of of ChildVision said; “We have provided 70 people with wheelchairs. We’re also arranging trauma treatment for them.”
 Health needs of returnees
Returnees to Arippu, Mannar have called for better access to healthcare. “The road to Arippu is not in good condition. We need a hospital in this area as it’s too far to travel to the hospital in Murungan, said Antony Richard Morais, a resident of Arippu.

Returnees to Nedunkerni, Mannar also face the same problem. According to Nedunkarni resident M. Kasim, villagers have to travel 13 kilo metres to the nearest hospital in Murungan. He added that the lack of proper transport facilities hamper residents from getting treatment on time. 
 
Northern Province Governor, G. A. Chandrasiri said that plans are under way to address the problem. “Hospital services have commenced in Manthai West, Thunukkai and Poonakary. Doctors have been sent to these areas and all the facilities such as ambulance services have also been provided. WHO (World Health Organisation) and other INGOs are also providing assistance to returnees under the guidance of the government,” he explained.
 
Life after resettlement

Lifeline speaks to returnees in Vavuniya North about life after resettlement and their hopes and aspirations for the future..

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