WFP continues to dispatch food convoys to Wanni: Refutes BBC report

While refuting a BBC Sinhala service news report, intended to draw a 'hunger crisis' in the Wanni region in Sri Lanka, WFP officials issued a press release asserting the BBC report as a "regrettable statement based in the form of a personal opinion".

"Statements given by staff members do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WFP", the communiqué‚ further read.

Following is the full text of the WFP press release.

With reference to a news item carried by BBC regarding the IDP situation in the Wanni, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) wishes to highlight that WFP's mandate is to provide food assistance to those in need. Statements given by staff members do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WFP. On this occasion, it was regrettable that a statement in the form of a personal opinion was provided to the BBC.

WFP, in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders, since the beginning of the food convoy operation on 2nd October, has dispatched a total of 4,120 tons of mixed food commodities to meet the food needs of an estimated 200,000 internally displaced persons in the Wanni. In addition, a total of 250 MT rice, locally procured by WFP in the Wanni is included in the overall food distribution, making the total food made available to the IDPs in the Wanni 4,370 MT. Although WFP planned to send 750 MT food weekly, delays were experienced due to some technical, administrative and weather related constraints that did not allow the full requirement to be met.

WFP is fully committed to continue the weekly dispatches of convoys to the Wanni to ensure that the IDPs needs are met and is receiving consistent support for it from all stakeholders. So far, seven food convoys have been sent to the Wanni and the 8th one is under preparation with about 750MT food.

Each household is expected to receive a monthly ration of basic food, equivalent to 1,900 kcal per person per day. To complement the basic food needs, pregnant and lactating women as well as children under 5 receive Com-Soya Blend, nutritionally based food to prevent deterioration of their nutritional status.

WFP provides food assistance to 1.1 million people composed of internally displaced, economically affected, schoolchildren and other most vulnerable people in Sri Lanka.