Radiothon – 2009
Fundraising for Emergency Medical Relief on Good Friday 2009
The Australian Medical Aid Foundation (AMAF) is a registered charity in Australia and a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). Since it's inception nearly 8 years ago, the AMAF has raised nearly Aus $1.4 Million as donation and utilized this for improvement of the health and well being of the people in North and East Sri Lanka especially the most disadvantaged people in the conflict zone.

We have collaborated with International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and channeled aid to the tune of $1.2 million during this period. We have signed memorandum of understanding for a further $1 million with INGOs to be spent in North East Sri Lanka once the situation permits. In addition to this, we have also donated hospital beds and theatre equipment including theatre lights to a tune of $A3m. The Australian Medical Aid Foundation has been involved in the planning and implementation of many medical and health care infrastructure projects during this period, including facilitating visits of consultants and transferring knowledge and expertises in various fields of medicine, surgery and dentistry as well as para-medical personnel to work in North and East Sri Lanka.

We are proud of the fact that AMAF was able to supply medicines to cater for the needs of the civilian population in Vanni until very recently - the only overseas medical organisation of the Tamil Diaspora to do so. This was only possible with your generous donation, consistent support and encouragement.

Over the past several weeks with the civil war intensifying day by day, there has been nearly 2,500 deaths amongst the civilians which includes nearly 800 children. Hundreds of thousands have been made destitute and thousands rendered limbless and orphaned. I am certain that all of you are aware of the unfolding human tragedy in Vanni today where there is an acute shortage for medicine due to the ongoing Government sanctioned embargo. The situation has been made worse with the health infrastructure being
destroyed by aerial bombing and shelling with all the hospitals demolished.

On 10th April 2009 (Good Friday) we will be holding our 7th Annual Fundraising Event "Radiothon" between 9am and 6pm on "Inbathamil Oli" based in Sydney and 3CR community radio based in Melbourne. The funds raised on that day will be used for emergency medical relief to fund the basic medical and health needs of our brothers and sisters who are caught up in the conflict zone and those who are internally displaced.

The need and demand for our help would be many fold in the following months and years as the tragedy unfolds. AMAF calls that Tamil Diaspora living in Australia to rise up to occasion, as they have always done in the past. Please call us now (for credit card or cash payment) or send your cheque (in favor of Australian medical aid foundation).

AMAF dedicates itself to serve our population in North and East of Sri Lanka as long as there is a need for our services.

DR. V. Mano Mohan, The Chairman, AMAF