$ 32.5 m boost from US Dept. of Agriculture

US Ambassador Julie Chung is joined by Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha and representatives of the US Department of Agriculture and Save the Children to announce the $ 32.5 million award for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program

 Students from a primary school in Kothmale, benefiting from the school feeding initiative

• Commits to fund McGovern-Dole School Feeding Program for Lankan children for another five years

The US Embassy in Colombo yesterday announced a new $ 32.5 million award from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Sri Lanka for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

The program is a food assistance initiative that reduces hunger and improves literacy and primary education. By providing school meals, teacher training and related support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrolment and academic performance. 

Building on an existing initiative implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with Sri Lankan Government counterparts, more than 200,000 Sri Lankan children will benefit from this initiative in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, and Colombo over the coming five years.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, who has visited a number of locations where the US-funded school feeding program is already active, said: “I have seen the transformative impact of the school feeding program on the lives of Sri Lankan children. The United States remains steadfast in its support for Sri Lanka’s school feeding initiative, exemplified by this additional $ 32.5 million contribution through the USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. These programs are vital, enhancing nutrition and education for children across the country, and reflect our enduring commitment to the people of Sri Lanka.”

This new funding is a continuation of the USDA-supported Promoting Autonomy for Literacy and Attentiveness through Market Alliances (PALAM/A), a $ 27.5 million project whereby Save the Children, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance, supports over 95,000 children in 852 schools in seven districts (Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Monaragala, Ratnapura, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Trincomalee), providing nutritious meals as part of the Government’s School Meal Program. The project furthers the development of children’s literacy skills, teachers’ professional training, and supports improvements in inclusive safe drinking-water, improved kitchen facilities, and sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools.

The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child development, and food security in low-income, food-deficit countries around the globe. The program provides for the donation of US agricultural commodities, as well as financial and technical assistance, to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of US-Sri Lankan diplomatic relations, a rich history that is underscored by robust people-to-people relationships. The progress that our countries have achieved together will assist Sri Lankans to build a brighter future.