UNICEF regional chief flags off crisis impact on SL children

• One in two children in SL in need of some form of emergency assistance, including nutrition, healthcare, clean drinking water, education, and mental health services
• UNICEF says not seen massive inflow of assistance that is required in Sri Lanka, as it has been elsewhere in the world
• Cautions hard-earned progress for children in SL at risk of being reversed and in some cases, erased permanently

The visiting United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) South Asia Regional Director George Laryea-Adjel yesterday cautioned that the hard-earned progress for children in Sri Lanka was at risk of being reversed and in some cases, erased permanently, if the current trend continues.

Wrapping up a week-long visit to get a first-hand account of the prevailing crisis situation in Sri Lanka and its impact on the vulnerable communities, Laryea-Adjel told journalists that the priority should be on addressing child malnutrition and restoring educational activities of school-going children.   

“Sri Lanka has been a star when it comes to human development, and the country has been an example to others, especially in relation to health and education. These gains, which are the strength of this country, are a result of years of investments by various stakeholders including the Government, local community, non-governmental organisations, and non-State actors. Such gains should be safeguarded,” he noted, while making a plea for international assistance to the crisis-hit island nation. 

During his stay, the South Asia Regional Director held discussions with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry PC, and Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella as well as various development partners of Sri Lanka. Visiting several schools and estates in the Central Province, he also directly interacted with the people.   

UNICEF’s assessment is that 2.3 million – nearly one in two children in Sri Lanka – are in need of some form of emergency assistance, including nutrition, healthcare, clean drinking water, education, and mental health services. It has made a global appeal for $ 25 million to meet the critical needs of the most vulnerable children and families in Sri Lanka.

“Child malnutrition can exacerbate as a result of the prevailing economic crisis. A UNICEF survey has revealed that 70% of households have reduced food consumption. This is a disaster waiting for Sri Lanka, which already has South Asia’s second highest rate of acute malnutrition among children under five,” he remarked. He also stressed that special focus should also be given to pregnant women’s and breastfeeding mothers’ nutrition.   

“The education of 4.8 million children hangs in the balance. UNICEF’s teams on the ground have reported that school attendance has dramatically decreased, particularly in low-income areas. This is due to transport challenges for both teachers and children, power cuts, lack of stationery, among others.  More and more boys and girls are likely to drop out with the halt in school meals – often the only source of nutritious food for many marginalised children,” the UNICEF official added. 

“This is not just a rights issue, but also an investment issue. Sri Lanka needs more investments, especially in areas of health and education,” he observed, adding that this point was mutually agreed also at the discussion with the Premier on Thursday.    

“We have not seen a massive inflow of assistance that is required in Sri Lanka, as it has been elsewhere in the world. The negotiations are picking up, but we understand that they can take a lot of time. The crisis in Sri Lanka is evolving fast. Coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, the current situation is a combination of crises,” he observed.   

UNICEF highlighted that the current crisis is pushing more and more families to take their children to the child care institutions as they cannot afford to provide for them, including feeding. It added that reports of increase in abuse, exploitation and violence against children are emerging due to the mounting economic pressure. 

“What I saw in Sri Lanka is a caution for other countries in South Asia. Acute economic-precarity and inflation across South Asia is poised to further threaten the lives of children - in a region which was already home to one fifth of the world’s extreme poor and profound hardships and inequities impacting children’s health, learning and safety, and in a region which was severely impacted by COVID-19,” the South Asia Regional Director examined.  

UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Christian Skoog said 20% of that target has been reached as of now, adding that the fundraising would continue next year as well.