Govt. steps up efforts to ensure food security, nutrition

Wednesday, 7 September 2022 03:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government is stepping up efforts to ensure food security and nutrition via a 10-year strategy that seeks to push for a steady supply chain and nourishment for all citizens. Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved a 10-year National Nutrition Policy as well as a two-year multi-sectoral integrated mechanism for food security and nutrition initiative to be launched immediately.

Through the 10-year national initiative, the Government intends to provide foolproof solutions for the numerous issues that affect the continuity of a better nutrition level for all citizens, whilst maintaining a steady food supply chain to secure healthy food consumption lifestyles, and to boost the contribution of the social and economic development of Sri Lanka.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a short-term national program submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies Minister.

This multi-sectoral integrated program is designed to be implemented in the next two years, as an urgent measure to ensure food security and nutrition.

Cabinet nod to launch 10-year National Nutrition Policy, 2-year multi-sectoral integrated mechanism

The short-term initiative will be spearheaded by the National Food Security and Nutrition Council through the Provincial, District, Divisional, and Grama Niladhari Division levels to ensure that it covers all vulnerable groups in society.

The moves come into effect after the World Food Program (WFP) in its latest report noted that 6.3 million Sri Lankans have been rendered food insecure, meaning that they cannot access a nutritious diet on a daily basis.

Medical Research Institute (MRI) Nutrition Department Head Dr. Renuka Jayatissa recently told journalists that around 14% of Sri Lankan households were poor and the children in these families were vulnerable to malnutrition.

The WFP is working towards solutions to the current food supply shortage, as the economic crisis has impacted numerous sectors across Sri Lanka, including nutrition security.