US$ 4.2 million food aid from the US for Sri Lanka's IDPs

<P>[March 10 2011]  

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<p>The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), development agency of the US Government, has donated USD 4,200,000 (approximately Rs 462 million worth) of food aid to support the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Northern Sri Lanka.

<p>This donation is in addition to the flood relief assistance of US$ 2.9 million (319 million Rupees) given by the United States Government earlier this year to support families in areas severely affected by the heavy rains in North Central and Eastern provinces.

<p>The United Nations World Food Programme will distribute the aid consisting of wheat flour, lentils, and vegetable oil, to meet the needs of up to 371,000 returnees.

<p>To date, the US has provided nearly USD 33 million (Rs 3.6 billion) in food aid to Sri Lankans during the period of 2010 and the first months of 2011.