Sri Lanka has made progress in tackling food insecurity, with the rate falling from 24 percent to 16 percent, according to Philip Ward, the newly appointed representative and country director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
Mr. Ward shared the update during a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath after presenting his credentials in Colombo on Friday.
Minister Herath underlined Sri Lanka’s priorities under the National Development Policy, noting the government’s focus on poverty reduction, food security, and strengthening social protection systems for vulnerable groups. He said Colombo remains committed to working closely with the WFP to advance sustainable development and improve living standards.
Mr. Ward reaffirmed the WFP’s commitment to support Sri Lanka by aligning its programs with the government’s policy framework. He said the agency would continue to partner with national institutions to promote resilience and ensure long-term food security for communities across the country. Sri Lanka’s food insecurity sharply worsened during the 2022 economic crisis, when shortages of fuel, fertilizer, and foreign reserves disrupted food production and imports. At the height of the crisis, nearly one in three households faced food insecurity, according to UN assessments.
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