Sri Lanka, Vavuniya (MSF)
After nearly 25 years of civil war between Tamil separatists (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE) in the north and the Sri Lankan military (Sinhalese) in the south of the country, the war officially ended on May 19, 2009.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was stationed at the defense line in Vavuniya to oversee two projects. War victims were treated in the orthopedic hospital in Vavuniya, while an inpatient program for spinal cord injury patients was established at the Ayurvedic hospital in Pompaimadu.
As the head of the physiotherapy department in both hospitals, I was responsible for ensuring the best possible rehabilitation for the patients and for training local staff.
Arriving in Sri Lanka felt like coming home. It was a heartfelt project that remains particularly dear to me—not just because of the incredible food!
Working in a team of experts on equal footing was a wonderful gift. Even more rewarding, however, was collaborating shoulder-to-shoulder with the local people, exchanging cultures, and learning from one another.
Upon arriving in Vavuniya, I was immediately introduced to landmine safety protocols. At the time, Sri Lanka was in the midst of war—something that was impossible to ignore. The military presence was everywhere, and the air was filled with the sounds of conflict. We couldn’t move about freely, confined instead to the hospital or our base. Transportation was only allowed in groups and during specific times.
I was responsible for two hospitals: one specializing in orthopedics and the other in neurology. Mornings were spent treating patients with spinal cord injuries, while the afternoons were dedicated to those with orthopedic conditions.
The work was exhausting and pushed me to my physical and mental limits six days a week. Yet, it was incredibly empowering, as we were all united in pursuit of the same goal. I encountered personal stories that will stay with me forever—people arriving from the battlefield in desperate need of care, unavoidable triage decisions, and overcrowded refugee camps in inhumane conditions.
For nine months, I worked tirelessly, dedicated to providing medical aid and advocating for justice. I was deeply exhausted but immensely grateful to see how our collective efforts made a tangible difference.