Funded
- About
About the crisis
Sri Lanka, once the 'Wonder of Asia', with its literacy levels and healthcare highest in South Asia, a paradise rich in beautiful fauna and flora, a serendipitous haven for tourists.
The reality is very different today. Faced with a financial crisis unprecedented in its history, the country has ground to halt. With its schools, offices and factories regularly closed without power, traffic ground to a standstill without fuel; and the population out of work - standing in petrol queues for days on end.
“Sri Lanka is going through a severe economic crisis. The economy is expected to contract significantly in 2022, while inflation is high and rising. The critically low level of foreign reserves has hampered the import of essential goods. During the in-person visit, the team witnessed some of the hardships currently faced by the Sri Lankan people, especially the poor and vulnerable who are affected disproportionately by the crisis." (IMF Report, 30 June 2022)
Impact on people
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
All children in Sri Lanka are severely affected by the worsening economic and political crises. Persistent fiscal deficits, severe depletion of foreign reserves and political instability mean families are enduring daily struggles to afford nutritious food and access lifesaving services including health, nutrition, education, child protection, water and social protection. The fuel crisis has brought life to a standstill with the majority of crucial services halted and only essential services operating since 28 June 2022. With no substantial volume of fuel arrving in the country, day-long queues are continuing with no end in sight. (UNICEF Sri Lanka Humanitarian Situation Report #1 (Economic Crisis), 1 January to 30 June 2022)
The country is facing an unprecedented economic crisis, with acute shortages in food, fuel and lifesaving drugs pushing the entire population to the edge. Over five million people are living hand to mouth, eating less, selling their jewellery, and borrowing money. Over 56,000 children under five years are facing severe malnutrition. close to 200 essential medicines are out of stock, with a predicted shortage of another 163 critical drugs being added to the list over the next two to three months. Over 2,700 essential surgical and more than 250 regular laboratory items are no longer in stock.
Sri Lanka is suffering a serious financial crisis with no foreign currency left to pay for imports of basics - such as fuel, food, medicines, nor fertiliser for farmers who support feeding the nation:
- Acute shortages of basic and lifesaving drugs and essential medical equipment
- Severe transport problems due to fuel shortages bringing the country to a standstill
- Crop failure and hyperinflation with the population facing acute food shortages
- 56,000 children under 5 at risk of malnutrition
- Severe shortages of cooking gas leaving those in urban areas without recourse
The situation is dire, critical and extremely harsh for vulnerable Sri Lankans.
What we are doing
In response to this Crisis, Sri Lankans abroad led by the Association of Sr Lankan Professionals in the UK ('APSL UK') and their friends, are raising funds to provide much needed humanitarian aid to the people most affected in the form of food and medicines.
As part of this effort we have organised a sponsored walk at the scenic Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire OX2 9NS on Sunday 25th September 2022.
How you could help
You could support us in one or more of the following ways:
- Join our walk: To find out more about the walk and register your place click here.
- If you are unable to participate in the walk yourself, but wish to make a donation click here
