Sri Lanka facing fullblown humanitarian emergency

By Ashanthi Warunasuriya?

Sri Lanka is facing a fullblown humanitarian emergency, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

The UN said in its latest update that currently close to 200 essential medicines are now out of stock in Sri Lanka, with a predicted shortage of another 163 critical over the next two to three months.

Additionally, over 2,700 essential surgical and more than 250 regular laboratory items are also out of stock. Due to power cuts and the lack of fuel to operate generators, many hospitals have had to postpone non-urgent surgeries and procedures.

?The economic turmoil in Sri Lanka could escalate into a fullblown humanitarian emergency,? OCHA said.

The United Nations has launched a US$47.2 million plan for the period June through September, to respond to the Government?s request for support.

The Government has announced a two-week shutdown of government services and schools in Colombo to reduce the number of people taking private and public transportation as fuel stocks are predicted to run out in five days.

The UN said that currently close to 200 essential medicines are now out of stock, with a predicted shortage of another 163 critical over the next two to three months. Additionally, over 2,700 essential surgical and more than 250 regular laboratory items are also out of stock. Due to power cuts and the lack of fuel to operate generators, many hospitals have had to postpone non-urgent surgeries and procedures.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is visiting Sri Lanka to discuss debt relief and restructuring. (Courtesy Daily Mirror)