The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) this week welcomed a 700,000 Euros, (approximately U$ 1 million) donation from the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) to provide urgent food supplies to communities affected by recent monsoon floods.
Over the past month the floods have displaced tens of thousands of people, severely affected paddy cultivation and, in many areas, destroyed local vegetable crops resulting in crippling price hikes.
“This contribution from ECHO to WFP in Sri Lanka comes at a very critical juncture, allowing us to assist some 500,000 people hit hardest by the floods,” said WFP’s Country Representative in Sri Lanka, Adnan Khan in a statement. “The needs of the flood-affected communities are great and WFP still faces considerable shortfalls in our funding.”
“Before the floods, many conflict-affected families were attempting to resume agricultural activities after returning to their homes. Now they have been hit by another calamity and will need food and other humanitarian assistance in the months ahead if they are to fully rebuild their lives,” Khan said. |
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