US President Joe Biden at the G7 Summit yesterday announced $ 20 million in additional assistance to strengthen food security in Sri Lanka. 

US President Joe Biden

Building on other recent funding announcements from the US, this newly posted assistance will target Sri Lankans most in need during the current economic crisis. The funding aims to support a school nutrition program that will feed over 800,000 Sri Lankan children and provide food vouchers for over 27,000 pregnant and lactating women over the next 15 months.  The effort also plans to support approximately 30,000 farmers through the contribution of agricultural assistance and cash in order to increase food production in vulnerable Sri Lankan communities.

“President Biden’s announcement of $ 20 million in additional assistance to Sri Lanka demonstrates the US’ ongoing commitment to food security, public health, and the economic well-being of all Sri Lankan people,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung. “The US will continue to support Sri Lankan efforts to promote economic stability and will ensure this assistance reaches the communities – and children – who need it most,” she added.

The $ 20 million of humanitarian assistance announced builds on nearly $ 12 million in recent US commitments in economic and humanitarian assistance, totalling $ 32 million in US support for the Sri Lankan people since 16 June. 

Funding is provided through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and will be awarded to partners that adhere to globally recognised monitoring and evaluation standards. This ensures that funding is accounted for and assistance reaches those identified as most vulnerable to food insecurity.

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