WFP pledges necessary support to Sri Lanka to cope with drought

Davos: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has pledged to provide necessary support and aid to Sri Lanka to overcome challenges faced by the people due to the prevailing drought.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin discussed the impact of the impending drought on the Sri Lankan people and the steps necessary to mitigate the effects at a meeting held at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Cousin, who praised the Government for its agenda in developing the country, pledged that the World Food Programme is prepared to provide assistance and aid to Sri Lanka in order to face the forecasted drought.

The Prime Minister has also discussed the preliminary measures to be taken for providing relief to the people affected by the prevailing drought.

Special attention was drawn to the problems that would arise due to the drought on the agriculture sector and the hydropower generation.

The Prime Minister pointed out that under the circumstances, it will be necessary to import rice as the harvests will be destroyed and fuel for electricity generation. He reiterated that relief should be provided for the farmers who depend on agricultural crops.

While commending the Government for its support towards the World Food Programme, WFP Executive Director announced that she would visit Sri Lanka on 10 February. She said further talks on the impending drought would be held during her visit.

The Prime Minister also presented the plans on the education reform activities in Sri Lanka to the WFP official and engaged in discussions on the development of Sri Lanka’s education system.

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha also joined the discussion.