Attachments
In Numbers
15 percent of children under five are acutely malnourished, rates of which have remained stagnant over the last ten years.
Sri Lanka ranks 4th of 184 countries prone to climate shocks (Global Climate Index).
US$ 0.69 m six months in net funding requirements (November – April 2018).
Operational Updates
- World Food Day: An event was held for World Food Day in Colombo. His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka took a pledge to improve nutrition and food security. This is the first time in Sri Lanka a President was involved in World Food Day.
The Minister of Agriculture, and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine joined WFP, other UN agencies, development partners, private sector partners, community representatives, youth and school children to celebrate World Food Day.
His Excellency also presented an award to 14 year old Miss. Sasmini Minupama Elaperuma from Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya (Kiribathgoda), a winner of WFP’s annual global Children’s Design Competition which was themed ‘Why is having a meal at school important to you’. He also presented an award to Miss Rithini Perera from Museaus College,
Colombo who was placed third in the 5 – 8 years category at the World Food Day Global Poster Contest 2017.
The event featured an exhibition of nutritious food prepared by women's societies from across the country, and a pledge wall led by the president calling for thoughts and actions on achieving Zero Hunger. The "Take a stand, make a pledge for improved nutrition in Sri Lanka" was facilitated by popular Sri Lankan actress Pooja Umashankar. Celebrity chef Publis curated a healthy snacks and drink menu for the attendees of the event. Link to press release
- Update on heavy monsoon rains and drought (double burden): The second inter monsoon in October brought considerable rains to dry and intermediate zones in the country. Compared to last 30 years of average rainfall, the total rains received during the first ten days in October was more than 200% higher compared to the average precipitation.
The end of October saw the weather level of major reservoirs in the country reached 47% of storage capacity which was only 19 percent during the same time last year. As a result, water reservoirs in the dry and intermediate zone reached their full capacity (Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Monaragala districts) contributing to a improved ‘Maha’(major) cultivation season.
The 2018/19 season is expected to have sufficient water throughout the season.
Under these circumstances, the prevailing dry weather and the ground water deficit levels are also expected to fade off, which will also reduce the effect of droughts for non-agricultural areas.
- Technical training was conducted for 40 officers of the National Disaster Relief Service Centre on Disaster Relief Management with specific focus on contingency planning through simulation exercise.