Nyhed -
22-010-SO Alert Note Food security during socioeconomic crisis in Sri Lanka (Activated)
The alert note regarding unrest i Sri Lanka has been reassessed and a call has been opened.
Assist has submitted an alert regarding food security during socioeconomic crisis in Sri Lanka. The food systems, including its market system, have been disrupted country-wide and in all its components. The following areas are most severely affected: Ratnapura in the Sabaragamuwa, Trincomalee in the Eastern, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar in the Northern, Gampaha, Colombo and Kalutara in the Western, Hambantota in the Southern, Nuwara Eliya in the Central and Badulla and Moneragala in the Uva provinces of Sri Lanka.
The crisis is multidimensional; compounded by food insecurity, threatened livelihoods, shortages of vital and essential medicines, a fuel and energy crisis, and rising child protection concerns. The economic crisis is the worst since independence in 1948. The level of poverty is increasing. This is a result of persistent fiscal and current account deficit, mounting debt, and poor governance. On 19 May, Sri Lanka declared it would default on debt repayment for the first time in history, owning to bankruptcy.
The focus of this alert is on the acute food insecurity: The food inflation rate rose by more than 20 points throughout June, reaching 80.1% year on year. The sharp increase in food prices, and scarce fuel to transport produce to markets have resulted in reduced access to food. A decision made in April 21 to ban chemical fertilizer, reduced agricultural production by around 50%. It is estimated that only 24% of agriculture land was cultivated for the upcoming season. National production is insufficient to meet domestic demand, and the lack of USD (foreign currency) has restricted food imports.
The secondary effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the country’s economy and people’s livelihood have aggravated the situation.
Agriculture and livelihoods, food and nutrition security, safe water, health, protection and education are the top-most humanitarian priorities for the country.
The WFP estimates that 6.3 million people are food insecure (and projected to rise). UN OCHA estimates that 5.7 million people are in urgent need of assistance; 1.7 million of them are highly vulnerable.
