Colombo: UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei warned today that the staple foods have become unaffordable as the island nation continues to suffer its worst financial slump since its independence.
In an official statement issued by UNICEF, Laryae-Adjei pointed out severe malnutrition in crisis-wrecked Sri Lanka. “As the economic crises continue to rattle Sri Lanka, it is the poorest, most vulnerable girls and boys who are paying the steepest price”, he said.
“Children are going to bed hungry, unsure of where their next meal will come from”, he added.
“What I saw in Sri Lanka is a caution for other countries in South Asia. Inflation and acute economic precarity are poised to further threaten the lives of children in the region. We must act today to secure their futures tomorrow”, tweeted the UNICEF Regional Director.
Sri Lanka is grappling its worst downturn on record after running out of foreign currency to buy imports, leaving scarce supplies of food, fuel, and other essentials. UNICEF has already warned to other South Asian countries about the risk of not preparing for economic hardship. If actions are not taken immediately to protect children against the worst effects of the global economic downturn, vulnerable children will be plunged further into poverty.