Australia responds to WFP call for USD 60 mn to feed Sri Lankans

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received USD 15 mn from Australia to help provide food to millions of needy Sri Lankans.

In a statement issued in Bangkok and Colombo on Wednesday (22), the WFP said that the Australian assistance was received in response to a recent appeal made by the UN agency.

The WFP on June 16 launched a US$ 60 mn emergency food and nutrition assistance for three million of the most at-risk Sri Lankans who are facing food insecurity in the face of a record high food inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices and widespread shortages of key commodities.

The agency quoted John Aylieff, WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific as having said that monthly food vouchers valued at Rs. 15,000 (US$ 40) were being distributed among pregnant women from some of the poorest neighbourhoods, delivered alongside antenatal care provided by local government authorities.

“We are deeply grateful to the Australian Government for this critical funding. At a time when millions of people are struggling to meet their most basic food needs, and while families’ coping capacities are being stretched to the limit, we can avert a worsening humanitarian crisis by stepping up our response, now,” John Aylieff said.

The statement: “The Australian funding will help WFP provide critical assistance to the most at-risk Sri Lankans, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and school children. To boost existing social safety net programmes, WFP is working to assist one million children through the national school meal programme, one million people participating in the Thriposha programme – which provides fortified food to mothers and children, and one million people in need of emergency food assistance through food, cash or vouchers.

Nearly five million people – or 22 percent of the Sri Lankan population – are food insecure and in need of assistance. Nutritious foods, such as vegetables, fruits and protein-rich products are now out of reach for many low-income families. WFP’s recent surveys indicated 86 percent of families are resorting to at least one coping mechanism, including eating less, eating less nutritious food and even skipping meals altogether.”