WFP to increase food support programmes in SL

• Agency will further increase grants to SL by US $ 20mn, taking total funding to US $ 60mn

The World Food Programme (WFP) has accepted the request put forward by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena for additional support of nutritious food distribution programmes targeting children and women, especially pregnant and lactating mothers. WFP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific John Aylieff pointed out that the agency has a genuine partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and their joint programmes such as mid-day meal for schoolchildren and ‘triposha’ for nutrition supply are some successful models that other recipient countries could 
also emulate. 

“We could make a powerful impact as the government has become an equal partner in the WFP programmes in Sri Lanka,” said Aylieff when he called on Gunawardena at the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament on Thursday.  

Highlighting the importance of a healthy community for a country, Gunawardena requested the WFP to explore the possibility of increasing assistance to develop cottage industries and micro-fisheries in the island. 

Aylieff shared that the grants to Sri Lanka at these difficult times would be further increased by US $ 20 million, taking the total to US $ 60 million.

WFP Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, Government Partnership Officer Musthafa Nihmath, Secretary to Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and Additional Secretary Harsha Wijewardena also took part in this discussion.