As Sri Lanka continues to suffer its worst financial slump, staple foods have become unaffordable, severe malnutrition is among the highest in the region and it is the poorest, most vulnerable girls and boys who are paying the steepest price, UNICEF has warned.
UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei said nascent food insecurity has compounded the social issues already plaguing the island nation.
"Families are skipping regular meals as staple foods become unaffordable. Children are going to bed hungry, unsure of where their next meal will come from," he said in a statement on Friday. Noting that more steps should be taken to help Sri Lankan children affected by the economic crisis, Laryea-Adjei said: "children need to be placed squarely at heart of the solution as country works to resolve the crisis."
Mass food insecurity will only further promote malnutrition, poverty, disease and death in region, he said, adding that severe malnutrition in crisis-wracked Sri Lanka was already among highest in region. "As economic crisis continues to rattle Sri Lanka, it is poorest, most vulnerable girls and boys who are paying the steepest price," UNICEF tweeted on Friday.
The UN estimates that half of kids already require emergency assistance. Education, one sector slammed by economic crisis, has seen decreased student enrollment and a deficit in resources, in addition to commute made dangerous by outdated infrastructure.