UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC, SL Red Cross, Australian Embassy, Aramex and others attended the meeting.

 Key messages from Minister were:

1.     No more medical teams required at present. The Government of Sri Lanka has mobilized 700 doctors many of whom have been airlifted to affected areas. 500 nurses are on stand by. 

2.    France , Germany , Russia , Isreal , Japan have already sent teams. Australias on standby. Medical team from Turkey arrived in the afternoon.

 3. The Ministry of Health (MoH) identifies the following as top priority for response: safe drinking water, proper sanitation, shelter, clothing, transport vehicle and drugs & medical supplies. The MoH has compiled and distributed a list of drugs required. Please see attachment.

 4. Many roads are still not motorable but MoH requests support for transport of relief items.

 5. Health services are being re-established in affected areas and main hospitals are recovering. Peripheral health facilities have been devastated, according to MoH

 6. MoH has set up a central operations and coordination unit in the MoH headed by Additional Secretary of Health (telephone numbers – 2691605, 2693175, 2675449). Focal points have been appointed for key areas such as medical supplies, transport, communicable diseases, etc. A contact list is being drawn up. This Center will be operational 24 hours a day and will coordinate the health sector response. All other agencies have been requested to inform the Center as to their activities. Information will be updated on the Ministry website. www.health.gov.lk

The Coordination meetings will be held every two days for now (Thursday).