Australia gives $ 4 million food aid to Sri Lanka’s displaced

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Australia gives $ 4 million food aid to Sri Lanka’s displaced

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Australian government announced that it will contribute $4 million of food aid to conflict-affected communities in Sri Lanka through the World Food Programme (WFP).

The food aid which will include almost 5,000 metric tonnes of rice, pulses, sugar, corn soya blend and vegetable oil will be distributed to about 230,000 people displaced in the North and East by the ongoing conflict.

Announcing the contribution the Australian government said it is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka and the worsening humanitarian situation and urged the Sri Lankan government and international organizations to continue to work together to ensure the displaced are provided with basic necessities.

The Australian Government also called on the parties to the conflict to allow the civilians to move freely to safety.

Sri Lankan government has made arrangements to provide shelter, safety and other essentials in the government controlled areas and has even set up a safe corridor for the internally displaced civilians. However the government says the Tiger rebels are restricting the civilian movement from the rebel-controlled areas.

BBC news service said John Campbell, from the World Food Programme (WFP), insisted that displaced people were getting enough food, despite their miserable living conditions.