Feeding IDPs: WFP, INGOs ease govt. burden

The World Food Programme (WFP) and about a dozen other INGO/NGOs are helping the government provide three meals a day to nearly 300,000 internally displaced persons accommodated at welfare centres in the north.

Well informed sources told The Island that the WFP with the help of international donors had taken the responsibility to supply rice, flour, sugar, dhal, salt and vegetable oil to welfare centres managed by the Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry. Sources said though the government had provided cooked meals to people reaching the government-held area initially, the WFP subsequently stepped-in with food aid.

Responding to our queries, sources said that WFP and a consortium of INGO/NGOs had contributed immensely to Sri Lanka’s overall plan to look after the displaced. Sources said though the government provided health facilities, water and electricity to welfare camps, the burden of providing food had been taken by the WFP. Read more ...