Between 2019 and 2023, Sri Lanka endured a turbulent period of economic instability, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, policy missteps, and political uncertainty. This led to soaring core and food inflation, currency devaluation, and a doubling of the poverty rate, undoing decades of economic and social progress. In response, GBPG’s expert was engaged by the UN World Food Programme to review the country’s social protection and nutrition programs, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable households with targeted assistance aimed at alleviating food insecurity while preserving their purchasing power.
Operational research was conducted to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of Sri Lanka’s voucher program compared to cash and in-kind food distribution. The analysis covered time and cost savings, beneficiary outcomes, program quality in terms of food security, nutrition, and empowerment. A pilot program was then designed to address critical gaps related to hunger, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies, which contribute to stunting and wasting. In light of the financial crisis, strategies were proposed to better target the most at-risk households and integrate the pilot into the broader social protection framework to enhance existing safety nets.
