UNDP-led private sector giving facility to help vulnerable segments

First row (from left): UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Executive Director Rathika de Silva, Ministry of Health Director Medical Technical Services and Coordinating In Charge/COVID-19 Dr. Anver Hamdani, Brandix Apparel Group Director Natasha Boralessa, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sri Lanka Officer in Charge Malin Herwig, Daraz Sri Lanka Managing Director Rakhil Fernando and Group Head of Corporate Communication Malika Samaraweera

2nd Row (from left): UNDP in Sri Lanka Policy and Engagement Team Leader Fadhil Bakeer Markar, Hemas Holdings Group CEO and Executive Director Kasthuri Chellaraja Wilson, Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company CEO Dilhan C. Fernando, United Nations in Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative for Sri Lanka and Maldives Vimlendra Sharan, oDoc Sri Lanka CEO and Co-Founder Heshan Fernando and Hemas Holdings Lead-Corporate Affairs Janakie Karunaratne  

By Darshana Abayasingha 

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Sri Lanka is partnering several private-sector entities to develop a giving facility to channel private sector funds towards procuring essential and non-essential medical supplies and food security, and to channel individual donations through a crowdfunding mechanism set up by the agency. 

The UNDP notes the health and food sectors in Sri Lanka as two of the most affected sectors due to the ongoing economic crisis. It joined hands with Hemas Holdings, Dilmah Ceylon Tea, Brandix Apparel and Daraz Sri Lanka to complement and strengthen efforts of the Ministry of Health together with the World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Sarvodaya, the United Nations Global Compact Network and oDoc Sri Lanka will also join as strategic partners. 

Speaking at media briefing yesterday, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Malin Herwig, said she hopes this initiative will inspire others to join the program, noting that over 70% of people in Sri Lanka have changed their food consumption habits since the dawn of the crisis. She added her agency was also committed to prevent Sri Lanka sliding down its indices such as the Millennium Development Goals, considering the progress made over the past decade. 

United Nations Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, said the UNDP has always taken an innovative approach to deal with issues and added that the private sector in Sri Lanka is a long-standing supporter of the agency’s efforts in the country. This support has been steadfast during various crises including the tsunami, floods, the pandemic and now the economic crisis. 

“We are always impressed with how stakeholders come together in Sri Lanka at a time of crisis. Even during the war, we didn’t see issues of this magnitude, particularly for the most vulnerable segments of the country. This program targets over 5.7 million people who are now in need of assistance. We need to build a more resilient Sri Lanka again. The people who are in need require such alliances to overcome this period, and without doubt this issue will come to an end,” she stated. 

Hanaa-Singer added that the program could lead to positive long-term business opportunities and preventing a humanitarian crisis is good for business. “Invest now so the future of Sri Lanka will be richer, and you will be richer,” she said.  

Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative Vimlendra Singh, said Sri Lanka farmers are very resilient, educated and open to new innovations with farming. Consequently, Singh averred he sees a lot of potential to improve local agriculture and production capacity. 

“At present it is necessary to give aid and distribute food, but the solution is to strengthen these sectors. We don’t look at the private sector only for funding, but also their technology, understanding and reach. In particular their contribution to take the economy forward. I sincerely believe the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka is really and simply needs a strong dose of high-tech innovation to take on the future,” he said.  

The individual crowdfunding facility will be launched in the coming weeks, which provides opportunity for persons to contribute towards alleviating the impacts of the crisis, not only through addressing shortages in the healthcare sector, but also by contributing to strengthening food security and other response measures. 

Dilmah CEO Dilhan Fernando, noted that since 2019, the world we operate in has fundamentally been altered, and the only way to face a crisis is through unity. That involves collaboration with Government and local and international agencies to deliver for the general good of citizens and industry.