Press Releases
U.S. Government supports early return of displaced persons with another $15 million in emergency food aid
Colombo – August 10, 2009: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a new donation of $15 million (Rs. 1.724 billion) of food aid to support the early return of people displaced by the conflict in the North. Consisting of wheat, lentils and vegetable oil, USAID’s second shipment of vital food aid this year will be consigned to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and will fulfill the essential food needs of 300,000 people for four months.
With this latest donation, USAID, the development agency of the U.S. Government, has provided nearly $59 million (Rs 6.78 billion) of food aid in 2008 and 2009. Recognizing the U.S. Government’s significant support to assist displaced people, in July, the Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, M.P. and Special Advisor to the President, received a symbolic handing over of emergency food aid from U.S. Chargé d’Affaires James R. Moore and USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn.
“USAID supports WFP and the Government of Sri Lanka in their efforts to provide essential food aid to Sri Lankans who have been displaced by the conflict,” stated USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn. “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. In addition, our food may be used for short-term, food-for-work activities to help the most vulnerable of these people restart their livelihoods,” she continued.
Coordinating with the Government of Sri Lanka and working with non-governmental partners, WFP distributes food aid from USAID and other donors to people in temporary IDP camps and provides a six-month ration when IDPs return home.
“This very generous donation from the United States comes at a critical juncture,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Country Representative. “It will allow WFP to continue providing much-needed food and nutritional support to the IDP population and increase their food security. We are very grateful to the United States, WFP’s largest donor, for this latest contribution, which reaffirms a commitment to partnering with the Government of Sri Lanka and to the humanitarian community in peace building and reconstruction efforts.”
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, USAID/Sri Lanka has invested nearly $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.