Third medical supply shipment from Houston to Sri Lanka

Posted Date : 02/01/2005 CST
Medical Bridges Inc, Houston/Galveston area hospitals and medical clinics provided the third shipment of medicines and medical supplies to us. This shipment weighing approximately 5500 lbs. (the largest shipment sent to date) was air lifted from Houston to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 30th, 2005. Transport of supplies to the airport was done using a U-HAUL truck which was provided to us free of charge by Sri Asia Garment Group. Houston based Continental Airlines transported this shipment free-of-charge up to New York. It will be transported from New York to Sri Lanka by Royal Jordanian Airlines at a discounted price. Walter P. Moore Inc. provided part of this payment, and the rest was paid by I-FREED.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Continental Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Sri Asia Garment Group and Walter P. Moore Inc. for helping us in our effort to help tsunami victims of Sri Lanka. We would also like to thank H.E. Devinda Subasinghe, Sri Lanka Ambassador to the United States of America, for his help in this task. The supplies will be distributed to the hospitals in the Ampara area with the help of the Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) and the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA).

U-HAUL truck loaded with medical supplies.		I-FREED volunteers unloading medical supplies at the Continental Airlines warehouse in Houston.
Medical supplies being transported at the Continental Airlines warehouse in Houston.

Updated : 03/07/2005 CST
The shipment reached Sri Lanka on the 6th of February. It was cleared from the Katunayaka International air port by the ADIC staff on February 8th. Following clearing, this large shipment was transported by ADIC to the medical supply division of the ministry of health for inventorying as per government regulations. Following inventory and inspection by the Ministry of Health staff, it was transported to the Ampara area hospitals on the 14th of February, 2005. The transport was coordinated with the Ministry of Health through their vehicles as they were sending urgent supplies to the same hospitals. ADIC staff accompanied the shipment to ensure safe delivery. I-FREED would like to extend our appreciation to ADIC, the Ministry of Health and the GMOA for facilitating the delivery of this shipment. I-FREED would like to extend a special note of thanks to Dr. Samantha de Silva from the GMOA for his volunteer assistance in clearing all three air shipments of medications to Sri Lanka.

Ministry of Health lorry loaded with medical supplies arriving at the Ampara General Hospital.		Arriving at the Ampara General Hospital.
Minstry of Health staff getting ready to unload the medical supplies.		ADIC staff handing over medical supplies to the Medical Superintendent of the Ampara General Hospital.
Medical Superintendent of the Ampara General Hospital receiving the medical supplies.		Third shipment of Medical supplies after reaching it's destination.