Japan to provide $1.5mln essential food grant to Sri Lanka

ECONOMYNEXT -Japan has said it will provide 1.5 million dollars (600 million rupees) to Sri Lanka through a the United Nations World Food Programme for essential food rations and school meal programs.

“We are pleased to announce that the Government of Japan will grant 1.5 million dollars emergency assistance through WFP to provide three months’ essential food supplies, including fortified rice, dhal and oil, for approximately 15,000 urban and rural people and 380,000 school children across the island,” Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka Katsuki Kotaro said.

“We hope that this humanitarian assistance will help improve food access and nutrition for the people of Sri Lanka amidst the economic crisis.”

Using the contribution, WFP will procure rice for the daily free school meals and also distribute ration packs comprising essential commodities to vulnerable households.

“Getting the right nutrition to those who need it the most will help mitigate the long-term effects of today’s economic downturn,” Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Representative and Country Director in Sri Lanka said.
The foods will be distributed through WFP in form of daily food meals at schools

(Colombo/May20/2022)