WFP ready to assist SL in achieving food security

The World Food Programme (WFP) was committed to assisting Sri Lanka in enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and strengthening resilience of smallholder farmers through sustainable agriculture, newly-appointed WFP Country Director, Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, said yesterday after formally presenting his credentials to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

“I am pleased to see the socioeconomic progress Sri Lanka has made since the end of its decades-long civil conflict,” said Country Director Siddiqui. “My colleagues and I remain committed to working with the government and other partners in addressing and overcoming on-going challenges related to nutrition and food security. Our aim is to develop a better future for vulnerable communities through sustainable solutions.”

Country Director Siddiqui and Minister Gunawardena discussed WFP’s Country Strategic Plan which comprises a set of objectives in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 of achieving zero hunger. They also discussed the progress Sri Lanka has made in reducing hunger and malnutrition and building resilience of communities against the effects of climate change. WFP established its presence in the country in 1968.