Findings reveal situation far less alarming than publicized

Statistics pertaining to nutrition levels in Sri Lanka, a country whose resources have been severely taxed by a long drawn out conflict for almost three decades, when compared to other countries beset by conflict and even those free or relatively free of terrorist attacks such as those launched by the LTTE,  indicate that the situation is far from alarming, a recent study by the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) shows.

The SCOPP study maintains that terms such as 'malnutrition' and 'protein deficiency' when used uncritically, and predicated on information that is either inaccurate or incomplete can be dangerous and can compromise the overall efforts of authorities to minimize inconveniences and ensure the maintenance of acceptable health standards.

Irresponsible statements and reportage not only harms Sri Lanka's image in the international arena, but demoralizes individuals and agencies, state and otherwise, working hard to provide goods and services, and implement programs in potentially vulnerable areas and populations, especially children.  It also discredits other organisations, I/NGOs and UN agencies, that are sparing no pains to deliver programmes to complement government efforts in the health and nutrition sector, the study warned.

Claims of there being chronic malnutrition in the North and East are inaccurate and  remain unsubstantiated by reliable data, the SCOPP study has revealed.  The study, based on data available at the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health, and information from the Ministry of Nation Building effectively counters the unsubstantiated claims made by certain NGOs, politicians and even high ranking officials attached to multilateral agencies. The truth is that there is nothing to warrant descriptions such as 'a looming humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka,' as some have claimed.

The SCOPP study has revealed that levels of malnutrition for Jaffna are consistent with national averages as based on school medical inspections and in terms of BMI (Body Mass Index).  A comment attributed to the Zonal Education Officer for Vadamarachchi, V. Selvarajah (by IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) alleging that a provincial health inspector had put the figure for 'signs of light malnutrition' at 50%, is unsubstantiated, the study points out.

A report by one of its organizations, UNICEF, maintains that nutrition status among IDPs under its rehabilitation program in Jaffna, covering 60 IDP camps and screening approximately 3500 children, has revealed 'moderate malnourishment' among 17.6% and severe malnourishment among 4.8%.

The SCOPP report points out while media reports have, contrary to all academic norms, extrapolated these figures to cover the entire Jaffna District, they have also failed to mention that a nutrition rehabilitation program which included the provision of CFB (a supplementary food item from the World Food Program) and Thriposha has been implemented to rectify the situation. Children receiving supplementary food items are reported to be responding positively and the Deputy Provincial Director of Health Services in Jaffna is continuously monitoring the program in terms of its impact on the targeted beneficiaries.  This shows that a) the government is aware of the ground situation in relation to nutritional levels among IDPs, and b) is alert and responsive to all situations not only those that require urgent and overwhelming response, according to the SCOPP study.

While the study acknowledges that there are problems related to access to food, particularly in view of LTTE action forcing the A-9 highway to be closed as well as other threats which hamper the smooth supply of essential items to the Northern Province, nowhere has kwashiorkor or marasmus, which would indicate severe levels of malnutrition, been detected.

With respect to claims of protein deficiency, the study points out that the current literature maintains that the key issue is the availability of sufficient calories, particularly to children under 5. If there is a reasonable calorie intake, adequate proteins needs tend to be met, according to studies.  A commonly held myth is that protein is contained only in fish, chicken, eggs or other meats, and it is unfortunate that senior officials working in relief organizations infer a direct relationship between 'fishing restrictions' and 'protein deficiency', SCOPP notes.

The SCOPP study observes that it would be optimistic to expect perfect conditions in conflict-ridden areas and especially IDP camps, but points out that the Sri Lankan government is doing its utmost to deliver on its responsibilities to its citizens in all parts of the country, an effort that is indeed praiseworthy when considering the circumstances of Sri Lanka not only being a developing country but one whose citizens, institutions and infrastructure have been frequently been subjected to violent terrorist attacks, not to mention that some of the areas where concerns about nutrition and health have been raised also happen to be the worst affected by the tsunami.
 
The Government sends a monthly average of Rs. 131 million worth of rations to IDPs in the North and East, which refers to persons living in welfare centers, those staying with friends and relatives, resettled families, and those who are economically affected.  The World Food Program (WFP) which is the non-state organization most involved in delivering food items to displaced persons, spends about 105 million rupees a month.  In absolute terms, the Government has sent Rs. 785  million worth of rations this year (until the end of June) alone to alleviate the suffering of IDPs in the North and East.   The WFP has distributed food worth Rs. 633 million as of end June, 2007. The numbers speak for themselves and provide an adequate response to carefully crafted perceptions by some media and even I/NGOs that all food aid going to the North and East is thanks to the WFP.

It must be mentioned that these numbers refer only to government support for IDPs. There are obviously others living in these two provinces also in need of food and other essential items.  The government ensures that there is a continuous supply of these items to the North and East. They are distributed via Mult-Purpose Cooperative Societies and private traders.

While it is true that the situation is far from 'normal', the government has appointed the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda, to take immediate measures to ensure continuous supply of essential items to civilians in Jaffna.  It has been decided to increase the number of ships carrying goods to Jaffna from two to eight.  Steps have also been taken to arrest the escalating price of cement (due to scarcity).  Sufficient quantities are to be sent in order to effect price stability.

In terms of reviving livelihoods and recovering normalcy, the government has also launched a 're-awakening project' for people in the North and East with financial assistance from the World Bank. This is to expedite the ongoing rural infrastructure development process in the two provinces.

To put the alleged 'humanitarian crisis' in Sri Lanka in proper context, SCOPP offers the following poverty-related figures in the South Asia region:

Malnutrition among children under 5 years of age is highest in South Asia, having reached a scandalous 46% percent, compared to 28% in Sub-Saharan Africa and 17% in the Mediterranean/North African region.  Bangladesh, India and Pakistan together are home to one-half of the world's malnourished children.

 Source: 'Food Security in South Asia' by Suresh Babu, South Asian Journal, July-September, 2005.

The numbers that are given in unsubstantiated 'reports' regarding the poverty situation and malnutrition among children in the North and East, especially IDPs, shows that the situation while warranting serious concern is by no means as critical as in other countries in the region, even if one were to make room for further deterioration in the past two years.

The SCOPP study also points out that while conditions of poverty are naturally exacerbated in conflict situations, Sri Lanka has shown a remarkable resilience and ability to respond to crises and provide for the most vulnerable of its citizens.  Furthermore, poverty is not the product of a single factor, such as conflict for example, but results from a multiplicity of processes, some of which have histories that run into decades.

The study concludes, however, with some concerns which the government should address as matters of urgency, both so that remedial measures can be more effective and so that agencies and individuals with dubious agenda are persuaded to act and articulate with more caution and responsibility.

SCOPP emphasizes the importance of establishing a nutrition surveillance system not only in Jaffna, but other districts affected by the conflict.  Pregnant women, infants and pre-schoolers are priority groups that need to be covered.  This could be undertaken by district health officials supported by the Nutrition Department/MRI/Ministry of Health.  SCOPP proposes to initiate action on such a process.  Surveillance should include not only the monitoring of nutritional status, but access to supplementary food such as Thriposhaya and WSB as well as dry rations, access to farming and livelihood support.