Major food and nutrition problems in Wanni
In September 2003 Sewalanka Foundation (SLF) and German Agro Action (GAA) started the Integrated Food Security Program (IFSP) in Vavuniya. This project is a new stage in the cooperation between the governmental administration, LTTE and SLF/GAA which started in 1996 targeting basic survival needs of Wanni communities.
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| Baby being weighed in Nedunkerny North, Wanni. |
The new program financed by the German Government’s Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve food security and basic infrastructure for resettling people in Vavuniya North Division and the northern part of Vavuniya Division. The main activities of the project will be road construction and repair, rehabilitation of wells and tanks, distribution of agricultural inputs, agricultural storage, mobilisation of community based organisations (CBO) and training on farming techniques, nutrition, hygiene and small business practices. The first phase of the project is planned over a two year period with continuation of future phrases depending on progress.
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| Height being measured in Unchalkaddi Maruthodai, Wanni. |
The results of a nutrition survey – carried out in November 2003 by a team of the International Nutrition Unit of the University of Giessen, Germany – were presented in Colombo on 13 February 2004 and in Vavuniya on 16 February 2004. Attendees at the Vavuniya presentation included the Vavuniya Government Agent, Nedunkerni Assistant Government Agent and representatives from LTTE-administration, Health Department, World Food Program (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and UNICEF.
The survey – carried out with the help of local health authorities – included an interview about the livelihoods of the families, weighing and measuring of all family members, and an assessment of food availability. Important findings included:
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November, December and January are the main months of food shortage. |
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30% of women and men were malnourished and almost 50% of the children were underweight. |
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families diets are somewhat monotonous and mainly based on rice (42%), wheat flour (19%), coconut milk (9%), sugar (7%) – equalling a mean total calorie intake of less than 1600 kcal per person daily. |
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food aid is still a major source of food, and consequently food aid practices were also discussed. |
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| Participants role-playing during Wanni training. |
In addition to food shortage, the additional needs identified included the continuation of road construction and repair, rehabilitation of schools as well as health services. The IFSP program focuses on construction of wells for clean drinking water, agrowells and latrines. Education on nutrition and hygiene will reduce the burden of malnutrition and disease and thereby improve the situation of the families.
>> For further information on IFSP Project please contact:
IFSP Project Team, based at Sewalanka Vavuniya Office
on +94 (0)24 222 0490
