Australia gives Sri Lanka US$ 50mn in food, medicine aid
COLOMBO – The Australia government has said it will provide US$ 50 million in Official Development Assistance to support Sri Lanka meet urgent food and healthcare needs, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in 70 years.
A statement from the office of Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, sent via the Australian High Commission in Colombo on Monday (20), said Australia will make an immediate contribution of US$ 22 million to the World Food Program (WFP) for emergency food assistance to help three million people meet their daily needs, while US$ 23 million will be in the form of development assistance in 2022-23.
This will support health services, and economic recovery, with a strong emphasis on protecting those at risk, especially women and girls, the statement said, noting that the contributions were in addition to the US$ 5million provided to the United Nations agencies for Sri Lanka recently.
The statement also noted that Australia has a close and long-standing relationship with Sri Lanka. “Not only do we want to help the people of Sri Lanka in its time of need, there are also deeper consequences for the region if this crisis continues,” it added.
-ENCL