Japan hands over food donation to help Sri Lanka respond to rising food insecurity

 

The first tranche of food assistance pledged by the Government of Japan earlier this year has been provided through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to Sri Lanka, where more than 6 million people – nearly 30 percent of the population, are facing a worsening food crisis. 

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki handed over the donation to Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando in the presence of WFP Representative and Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security on Monday. 

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki said, “It is our great honour that we are able to handover the first tranche of essential food supplies today with the rapid procurement of WFP, which will be delivered to vulnerable families and children across the island who are facing extreme hardship, amidst prevailing food shortages and soaring food prices during this unprecedented economic crisis. 

The donation will go a long way in addressing Sri Lanka’s growing food insecurity while shortages of food and other essentials and skyrocketing prices continue to impact millions of people’s ability to maintain an adequate and nutritious diet,” said WFP’s Siddiqui.