The overwhelming scale of the pandemic and containment measures required makes it difficult for the government to respond alone.

A-PAD promptly liaised with government authorities – The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, Disaster Management Centre, District/Divisional Secretaries, and local governments and began collecting information. It is critical to accurately grasp the needs of communities that are under lockdown in order to provide relevant assistance. Working with supermarket chains and manufacturers, A-PAD Sri Lanka is continuing to implement the following activities:

1 – Air conditioning unit was provided to a call center set up on March 15 to provide COVID-19 related consultations.

2 – A-PAD Sri Lanka’s regional platform, A-PAD Jaffna Platform worked with the government to procure and deliver masks and disinfectants to frontline workers. The medical supplies were procured by a pharmaceutical company which is also a member of A-PAD Sri Lanka.

3- A-PAD encouraged workers staying home to sew cloth masks as a measure to stimulate the local economy.

4- A-PAD handed over medical equipment including ICU beds donated by HSBC to the Ministry of Health.

5 – Disinfecting hospitals in Trincomalee District