US donates US$ 15 million worth food aid to Sri Lanka

The United States is donating food aid worth US$ 15 million to support the early return of the Internally Displaced Persons sheltered in the welfares camps in Northern Sri Lanka. A press release issued by the US Embassy in Colombo said the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that a US$15 million (Rs. 1.724 billion) of food aid consisting of wheat, lentils and vegetable oil will be consigned to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

This is the agency’s and second shipment of essential food aid this year and it will fulfill the essential food needs of 300,000 people for four months. Announcing the donation, USAID Mission Director Ms. Rebecca Cohn said the USAID supports WFP and the Government of Sri Lanka in their efforts to provide essential food aid to the displaced population.

“Our food donation will support the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to return displaced citizens to their homes quickly and safely. As part of this support, our food will be used for the six‐month ration that people receive once they return to their homes,” she added.

The World Food Program coordinating with the government and with the support from other HGOs distributes food aid to the people in temporary IDP camps and provides a six‐month ration when they return home.