UNHAS flights for the first time in Sri Lanka

Government approval has been obtained to operate WFP managed, United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights for the first time in Sri Lanka, WFP said.
The flights are likely to operate between Colombo and Jaffna to dispatch urgent food supplies to the peninsula which has been cut off following the closure of the A9 highway.

Meanwhile WFP also said that food deliveries to beneficiaries in the northern LTTE-controlled areas have reduced due to protracted delays for WFP convoy movements. WFP has taken up the issue with the Government.

The security situation in the north remains volatile due to intense military operations, impacting on the movement of people, food and relief items. Sri Lanka is classified as a low-income, food-deficit country.

In recent years, the prevailing conflict and the frequency of droughts, floods and landslides have further reduced people’s access to food.

The Demographic Health Survey of 2000/2001 showed that 29 percent of Sri Lankan children aged between three months and five years were underweight. The same survey found that 14 percent of children had stunted growth, and one out of six children had low birth weight.

WFP’s subsequent surveys in the North and East in September 2003 indicated that the malnutrition rates amongst 5 to 7 year olds surveyed was much higher than expected and at times double the national average: In these conflict affected areas, 51 percent of this age group was found to be underweight while the levels of wasting and stunting were 30 percent and 27 percent respectively.

A comprehensive rapid nutritional assessment in Mullaitivu District in September 2004 found that 38 percent of children under five were underweight – 7 percent higher than the national average.

The level of wasting was 21 percent and stunting 18 percent. Both indicators are 5-7 percent higher than the national average.