WFP approves US$ 117m in food aid to Lanka

The United Nations' World Food Programme On October 30, provided a grant of US$ 117 million to Sri Lanka after the WFP Executive Board deliberated on the project proposal prepared by the former Country Director for Sri Lanka M. Salaheem and the Regional Director, Asia Division Anthony Banbury.

One of the major concerns of the friendly countries, supporting the proposal, was whether there would be opposition from the major donor countries on the grounds that the Sri Lankan Government has prevented effective monitoring measures of distribution of food by ordering all United Nations officials and other aid agencies together with the NGOs and INGOs to leave the conflict areas in Kilinochchi.

The major cry of the LTTE and its supporters were that the Government effectively removed the aid workers from Kilinochchi to starve the Tamil population by creating a major humanitarian crisis.

Before the Aid Paper was discussed, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Italy spoke to the donor countries and explained the position of the Government and informed them that the Government had given such directives to prevent any harm being caused to the international aid workers.

As the Government was presently unable to ensure the security and safety of the NGO community it had requested them to leave the conflict areas and move their offices to Vavuniya temporarily.

The major donors, after discussions with the Embassy and its Deputy Permanent Representative Kulatunga Perera and Ambassador Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, were convinced that Government's aim is to feed the displaced people and others who are still unable to get away from the LTTE held areas.

To achieve a fair and equitable distribution of food, the Government has sought the assistance of Government Agents and other officers.

With these constrains against Sri Lanka the project was opened for discussion, amongst the members of the Executive.

When the project came up for discussion, major donors to the WFP, the United States of America, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany and the EU Representatives together with Thailand and Columbia spoke in favour of the Project Proposal being implemented without any amendments.

The EU observed that it would be better to have effective methods of monitoring that the distribution of food was received by the target groups. Canada observed that the WFP may have to increase the supply of food to the Northern Province and for that funds may be required.

The WFA Project Proposal prepared by Mohamed Salaheem, the former Country Director, added that the Government is consciously aware of the sufferings of the people in the conflict areas and is directing its resources to feed them.

After the project was approved, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Italy and the Permanent Representative of the WFP Hemantha Warnakulasuriya assured the cooperation of the Sri Lankan Government for the full implementation of the project.

The Ambassador reiterated that the Government had taken effective steps to safeguard the security, safety and the welfare of not only the displaced persons but all the aid workers in the North.

He also mentioned the fact that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reiterated his commitment to feed the civilian population, taken as human shield by the terrorists and the Government's commitment to feed everyone irrespective of whether they are terrorists or not.

He further brought to the notice of the Executive Board that the Eastern Province had been liberated from the clutches of the LTTE terrorists and all the aid agencies are working there without any hindrance or constraints.

He also mentioned that the objective of the Government is to find everlasting peace.

The consensus of the Major donors to approve a project of this magnitude to Sri Lanka to supplement the food aid to be distributed to the WFP is something that some NGOs and INGOs and others who are working to support the cause of the LTTE, would not welcome. They strived to prevent this aid been granted.

It is a major victory for the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Ministries of Nation Building and others who had worked very actively, cooperating with the WFP office in Colombo.

It is noted that Mohamed Salaheem, who was the WFP Country Director in Sri Lanka was able with his consummate skills to transform any negatives in the WFP office in Colombo into one of the most respected United Nations Agencies in Sri Lanka.

Salaheem has been since promoted to one of the leading positions in the WFP in Japan and is replaced by Adnan Khan of Pakistan who held a very important position as Inspector General of the WFP in Rome.