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Australia provides rice aid for emergency distribution
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Paul Stephens (left), Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme Sri Lanka, at the warehouse in Veyangoda where a stock of rice is being stored until distribution by the WFP.
By Kapila Bandara
Australia is marking 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka by once again assisting during the economic collapse, which has worsened the scale of hunger in the country. Staple food such as rice, and flour, along with cooking oil, are out of the reach of millions of households.
About 8.7 million Sri Lankans, or 39.1% of the population do not have an adequate diet, according to a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.
An Australian consignment of 600 metric tonnes of rice has been delivered and stocked at a warehouse in Veyangoda. This is part of a larger donation of rice, pulses and cooking oil, to be delivered soon. Indian ocean neighbour, Australia was the first to contribute to the WFP during this emergency.
The entire donation is worth 22 million Australian dollars, or Rs 5.2 billion.
The rice stock has been handed over to the World Food Programme to be distributed to those most affected.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Paul Stephens, who arrived in early August, noted in a statement this week, that the donation represents the country’s goodwill, “during this unprecedented crisis’’.
Australia is supporting the WFP, “to provide life-saving food to people who are struggling with price increases, job losses and reduced incomes”.
Mr Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP
Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director said the UN agency is providing “cash and in-kind food to the most vulnerable, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and school children’’.
Last month, Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Ms Clare O’Neil assured Sri Lanka that the Australian Government, “will do whatever we
can to support the country through this difficult time’’. She visited Colombo in June.
Late that month, Australia joined with India to give fuel to Sri Lanka’s navy and air force to underline continuing cooperation against transnational crime and a shared commitment to preserving regional security.
On August 19, Australia announced A$25 million more for urgent food and healthcare needs.
Days before that, the Australian cricket team which toured Sri Lanka, donated its prize money.
Sixteen programmes in Sri Lanka are to receive aid from the Sri Lanka and Maldives Direct Aid Programme. These include the Sri Lanka Press Institute, Disability Organisations Joint Front, Centre for Handicapped, Sri Lanka Red Cross, Women’s Education and Research Centre. Muslim Women’s Development Trust, and Green Movement of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Press Institute will work with 240 journalists and civil society members on the Right to Information for a Better Democracy.
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