Japan has agreed to provide a US $ 3 million grant through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the Food Security and Livelihood Restoration Emergency Assistance project in Sri Lanka. 

The government plans to implement the project with the financing from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (original JFPR) established by the Japanese government.

Japan established the JFPR in May 2000 to provide grants for projects supporting poverty reduction and related social development activities that can add value to projects financed by the ADB, according to Cabinet Co-Spokesperson and Mass Media, Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardane. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesighe in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies Minister to conduct negotiation discussions with the ADB and to enter into agreements. 

The project aims to address the country’s food security concerns while supporting the livelihoods of poor and communities impacted by natural disasters. 

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), nearly 6.3 million Sri Lankans or three in 10 households are food insecure and in need of assistance. Further, the WFP’s recent surveys indicated that 61 percent of families are resorting to at least one coping mechanism, including eating less, eating less nutritious food and even skipping meals altogether.