MELBOURNE, 19 August 2022: To lessen Sri Lanka’s economic crisis Australia will provide an additional $25 million to help meet urgent food and healthcare needs.
In a joint media statement Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong & Pat Conroy MP, Minister for International Development and the Pacific say that during this challenging period, Australia stands with the people of Sri Lanka, especially those experiencing severe hardship.
The additional support brings Australia’s Official Development Assistance response to $75 million.
The statement says:
“Our support will be delivered through UN agencies to provide food, health and nutrition services, access to safe water, and essential support for those at risk, including women and children.
Australia’s continued assistance to Sri Lanka supports our mutual interest in a secure and resilient Indian Ocean and reinforces our 75-year-strong relationship built on cooperation and community connection.
The extra humanitarian assistance is in addition to the $23 million in ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23.”
