Devastating crisis for Sri Lanka’s children is a caution for South Asia: UNICEF

UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, George Laryea-Adjei, who was on a visit to Sri Lanka recently, says the devastating crisis for children in Sri Lanka is a cautionary tale for South Asia.

In a statement, Mr. Laryea-Adjei stated that it is the poorest, most vulnerable girls and boys who are paying the steepest price due to the economic crisis in the country.

“Sri Lanka, a country normally known for its rapid economic growth and booming tourism, is experiencing its worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. Families are skipping regular meals as staple foods become unaffordable. Children are going to bed hungry, unsure of where their next meal will come from – in a country which already had South Asia’s second highest rate of severe acute malnutrition.”

He said almost half of children in Sri Lanka already require some form of emergency assistance., while noting that the education of 4.8 million children, already severely hampered by two years of interrupted learning, is at risk as school attendance continues to be jeopardized.

Children’s education is being hindered by the current crisis in many ways—children no longer get the warm and nutritious meal that they used to have before the crisis, they lack basic stationery, and their teachers struggle with transportation, Mr. Laryea-Adjei pointed out.

In his statement, the UNICEF representative also drew attention to the reports already emerging of increase in abuse, exploitation and violence against children due to the mounting economic pressure. “There are already over 10,000 children in institutional care in Sri Lanka, mainly as a result of poverty. Such institutions are not the best place for a child to grow up in, as they lack the bond of a family.”

Unfortunately, the current crisis is pushing more and more families to take their children to these institutions as they cannot afford to provide for them, including feeding, he added.

Speaking further of the situation in Sri Lanka, Mr. Laryea-Adjei said the hard-earned progress for children on the island nation is at risk of being reversed and in some cases, erased permanently, if the trend continues.

“UNICEF has been in Sri Lanka for over 50 years. With the support of partners, we are distributing education supplies, providing meals to pre-school children and badly needed cash transfers to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers,” Mr. Laryea-Adjei continued while noting that much more is needed as the crisis persists.

“Children need to be placed squarely at the heart of the solution as the country works to resolve the crisis. Continuity of learning must be ensured for girls and boys of all ages, so they can prepare for their future and are shielded from the threats of child labour, exploitation and gender-based violence. Central and primary health services must be prioritized, to protect women and children against life-threatening diseases and malnutrition.”

He also noted that what he saw in Sri Lanka is a caution for other countries in South Asia.

“Acute economic precarity and inflation across South Asia is poised to further threaten the lives of children - in a region which was already home to one fifth of the world’s extreme poor and profound hardships and inequities impacting children’s health, learning and safety, and in a region which was severely impacted by COVID-19.

“If we do not act now to protect children against the worst effects of the global economic downturn, the children of the world’s most populated region will be plunged further into poverty - and their health, nutrition, learning and safety compromised.

“We cannot let children pay the price for crises not of their making. We must act today to secure their futures tomorrow.”