WFP and FAO say situation may get worse; and seek more world assistance
More than a quarter of the population does not have enough food to eat, and millions more do not eat enough. According to a United Nations agency, the situation is likely to worsen as the crisis continues.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and the recent Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission carried out by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations found that 6.3 million people are food insecure, with another 6.7 million not consuming acceptable dietary food as of June, according to their latest situation report released this week.
“The WFP is concerned that this number could rise even higher if the crisis worsens.” “A full understanding of the ramifications of this multifaceted crisis on the population has yet to take shape,” the situation report said, noting that it aims to reach 3.4 million people across the country through food assistance.
Despite the fact that independent experts have expressed concern about Sri Lanka’s crippling crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) has received USD 20.14 million (32 percent) of the total funding requirement of USD 63 million through foreign government donations.
Sri Lanka is experiencing record-high inflation, price increases, and dwindling fuel stocks, all of which are harming the economy and causing political difficulties. According to the report, experts are calling for a coordinated effort from aid agencies, international financial institutions, the private sector, and donor governments to assist Sri Lanka.
The WFP has also begun new monthly remote monitoring assessments to fill information gaps and obtain critical information about how the economic crisis is affecting food security at the household level.
As of now, the World Food Programme’s response to affected communities has been threefold: cash or in-kind assistance, school meals, and nutrition support for pregnant mothers.
Currently, the WFP prioritizes households with disabled members, pregnant and lactating women, children under the age of five, and Samurdhi households with more than four members.
The World Food Programme (WFP) plans to begin cash distributions to approximately 180,000 people from 45,000 households in three districts: Galle, Nuwara Eliya, and Mullaithivu, early next month.