WFP’s Work in Enhancing Sustainable Social Protection in Sri Lanka

Executive summary

The objective of this booklet is to shed light on the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Sri Lanka’s contributions in strengthening and enhancing sustainable social protection systems in the country. It mainly targets stakeholders and government agencies interested to know about WFP’s engagement and offer in the domain of social protection. Government agencies engaged in social protection activities, namely the Welfare Benefit Board, the Department of Samurdhi Development, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, are a key focus of engagement efforts. The booklet also extends its focus to the broader humanitarian and development community including International Financial Institutions, international, local non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies, embassies and the UN Resident Coordinator.
Food and nutrition insecurity are improving in Sri Lanka compared to elevated levels in 2022; however, it remains a serious challenge, with an estimated 16 percent of the population experiencing moderate acute and food insecurity in late 2024. This is most severe among women, children, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.1 A landmark for Sri Lanka’s advancements in social protection, was the adoption of the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) by the Government in August 2024. The Policy sets out the objective to build an integrated, equitable and efficient system that provides protection to all citizens when they need it throughout their lives and that can respond to shocks and mitigate their socioeconomic impacts. The Government is drafting the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) to operationalise the policy and close protection gaps.
WFP has developed a global social protection strategy, which outlines its commitment in the sector of social protection. The strategy provides a structured framework to governments and donors on WFP’s offer in strengthening national social protection systems. In Sri Lanka, WFP applies this strategy to guide its daily social protection activities, ensuring alignment with global principles while addressing local needs.
Central to WFP’s approach are two priorities:

1 Social protection that helps people meet their food security, nutrition and associated essential needs and;

2 Social protection that helps people manage risks and shocks.
In practice WFP provides technical assistance and advice to governments. Sometimes WFP delivers on behalf of governments and performs complementary actions (e.g., Cash Executive summary Plus programmes).
Based on national needs and priorities,
WFP Sri Lanka has been engaging with the Government in the areas of social protection programme features, system architecture, knowledge and learning. Through support to government-led systems and programmes (such as Thriposha Company Limited, School Meal programmes, the Aswesuma social assistance and Samurdhi Empowerment and livelihood programmes), WFP works as an enabler to strengthen national social protection systems and capacities through the following four key areas of engagement:

• Enhancing shock-responsive social protection.

• Improving the food security and nutritional impact of social protection systems.

• Building the resilience of people and systems through social protection.

• Advancing digital social protection systems.