News
Millions of Lankans facing food insecurity, UN warns
View(s):WFP and FAO say situation may get worse; and seek more world assistance
More than one-fourth of the country’s population is facing food insecurity and millions are not consuming acceptable diets while the ongoing situation is likely to deteriorate as the crisis unfolds, a United Nations agency has warned.
In its latest situation report released this week, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the recent Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission carried out by Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN found that 6.3 million people are food insecure while another 6.7 million people are not consuming acceptable dietary food as of June.
“The WFP is concerned that this figure could further increase as the crisis continues to unfold. A full understanding of the repercussions of this multifaceted crisis on the population has yet to take shape,” the situation report said while noting it aims to reach 3.4 million people through food assistance across the country.
Noting independent experts are raising concerns about the debilitating crisis gripping Sri Lanka, the WFP received USD 20.14 million (32 percent) so far of the total funding requirement of USD 63 million through donations from foreign governments.
As Sri Lanka is facing record high inflation, price hikes and depleting fuel stocks, leading to an economic contraction amidst political challenges, the report said experts were calling for a concerted effort not only from aid agencies but also from international financial institutions, the private sector and donor governments to aid Sri Lanka.
The WFP also launched fresh monthly remote monitoring assessments to bridge the information gap and gather critical data on the impact of the economic crisis on food security at the household level.
As of now, the WFP response to affected communities has been three-fold with cash or in-kind, school meals and nutrition support for pregnant mothers.
Currently, the WFP is prioritising households with persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, and children under five, as well as Samurdhi households with more than four members.
the WFP is scheduled to begin cash distributions to some 180,000 people from 45,000 households in three districts of Galle, Nuwara Eliya and Mullaithivu early next month.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!