• We will contribute an immediate $22 million to the WFP for emergency food assistance
• Will also provide $23 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23
• There are also deeper consequences for the region if this crisis continues

Australia will provide $50 million in Official Development Assistance to Sri Lanka to meet urgent food and healthcare needs, a statement from the High Commission said yesterday.  

Sri Lanka currently faces its worst economic crisis in seventy years, leading to shortages of food, medicine and fuel.  

The statement said Australia has a close and long-standing relationship with Sri Lanka.  

“Not only do we want to help the people of Sri Lanka in its time of need, there are also deeper consequences for the region if this crisis continues. We will contribute an immediate $22 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance to help three million people in Sri Lanka meet their daily nutritional needs.  

Australia will also provide $23 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23. This will support health services, and economic recovery, with a strong emphasis on protecting those at risk, especially women and girls. These contributions are in addition to $5 million recently provided to United Nations agencies for Sri Lanka,” the statement said