The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is rapidly scaling up its emergency operations in Sri Lanka.
This was disclosed by Dustin Shiau, Senior Regional Program Officer of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA),who was on a visit to Sri Lanka recently.
He met with food-insecure communities and heard first-hand accounts of the difficulties they are facing and how USAID and WFP support has helped provide regular meals for their families.
During his visit, Shiau met with communities from Mullaitivu in the North of Sri Lanka, who are among those worst affected by the economic crisis – including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and people with disabilities – to better understand their nutritional needs.
During his visit, Shiau participated in a live demonstration of a mapping exercise in Moratuwa – an area susceptible to weather-related natural disasters – to understand the process by which authorities use Geographic Information System (GIS) software to identify where the most vulnerable communities may be hardest-hit during an emergency.
This year, the US has provided a record total US$20 million (approximately LKR 7.3 billion) to support WFP’s response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
Of that, USAID’s most recent contribution of US$13 million (approximately LKR 4.7 billion) is providing cash assistance and food rations to families hard-hit by the economic crisis across the country. USAID also donated funds to WFP to help feed children enrolled in the national school meal programme.
“The United States of America is a significant contributor to WFP’s emergency operation in Sri Lanka and the single largest donor to WFP globally,” said Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director. “
USAID’s long-time support to WFP and the Government of Sri Lanka includes disaster risk reduction initiatives related to floods and landslides.
With support from donors like the US, WFP is rapidly scaling up its emergency operation – which commenced in June – with plans to provide food and nutrition assistance to 3.4 million people.
WFP has so far reached over one million people with cash, food and vouchers and through the national school meal programme.
