Malnutrition levels in 2021 were low in comparison with 2016: SLPP MP

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarian Anuradha Jayaratne says that the rate of malnutrition in Sri Lanka remained at a low level from 2016 until 2021.

Speaking at a SLPP press briefing, the MP said that in comparison of statitics from 2016 until 2021, it is clear that the malnutrition levels in the country hace decreased by 13.2%.

However, MP Jayaratne said that due to the issues that the country faces today, some groups claim that a food crisis may arise, and the tendency for schoolchildren to have malnutrition is high, therefore, it must be carefully dealt with.

"We may be in danger ahead, but I have to say very responsibly, that malnutrition levels from 2016 until 2021 December have decreased," he added.

The Spokesperson for UNICEF Sri Lanka, Bismarck Swangin in July 2022 claimed that Sri Lanka had one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in South Asia, and the economic crisis has only exacerbated the child malnutrition crisis.

The UNICEF recently launched an appeal for $25 million to provide humanitarian aid to 1.7 million children in Sri Lanka, which the UNICEF points out are at risk of dying from malnutrition-related causes.

While Sri Lanka has the second-highest rate of acute malnutrition among children under 5 in South Asia, at least 17% of children are suffering from chronic wasting, a disease that carries the highest risk of death.