New Delhi: The touring Australian cricket team Thursday backed the United Nations' appeal to buy urgently needed food and life-saving medicines for Sri Lanka. The South Asian island nation is dealing with the worst economic crisis of its history. United Nations team and NGOs in Sri Lanka launched a Joint Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) scheme.
The program needs US$47.2 million in humanitarian assistance to provide life-saving assistance to Sri Lanka over a four-month period from June to September. Through a video, Australian cricketers Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc have given a message to raise awareness about Sri Lanka's economic crisis.
In a video put out by the Australian High Commission in Colombo on Thursday, cricketers Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith said they are encouraging friends to help in any way they can in the United Nations' appeal for a $47.2 million emergency fund.
"The UN has launched a flash appeal in Sri Lanka to support poor communities affected by the crisis," Starc said.
"We are proud that Australia is doing its bit," added Smith. "Together, we can help Sri Lanka hit this crisis for six."