Friday, June 10, 2022

UN Says Sri Lanka Is Facing A 'Full-Blown Humanitarian Emergency'

Queues are now part of everyday life in Sri Lanka as the country experiences its worst economic crisis in 70 years.(Reuters: Dinuka Liyanawatte)  

Reuters: Sri Lanka Risks Full-Blown Humanitarian Emergency, UN Agency Says 

GENEVA (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is at risk of tipping into a full-blown humanitarian crisis as the country's economy suffers its biggest shock in decades, the U.N. humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Friday. 

Sri Lanka's 22 million people are suffering the country's most serious financial turmoil in seven decades, with severe shortages of fuel, medicines and other essentials amid record inflation and a devaluation of its currency. 

"Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. We are concerned that this could develop into a full-blown humanitarian emergency," OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told a regular U.N. news conference in Geneva. 

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WNU Editor: A very good friend of mine spent two weeks in Sri Lanka before the pandemic on a holiday. He had a great time, and enjoyed his time there. He is stunned on how quickly everything changed for that country in just three years. 

 UN Says Sri Lanka Is Facing A 'Full-Blown Humanitarian Emergency'  

Sri Lanka: UN appeals for $47 million for life-saving aid to 1.7 million people -- UN News  

UNICEF appeals for US$25 million to meet the urgent needs of 1.7 million children affected by the economic crisis in Sri Lanka -- UNICEF  

Thousands of Children in Sri Lanka at Risk of Dying as Economic Crisis Worsens -- VOA  

Sri Lanka will need $7b over next six months to pay for food, fuel and fertiliser, says Prime Minister -- ABC News Australia  

Sri Lankan PM requests patience as UN calls for relief funds -- AP

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