Sri Lanka: 'I can’t afford milk for my babies'

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The smell of freshly cooked food hits you first.

Dozens of families are lined up with plates to get a serving of what will likely be their only meal of the day.

Manel says that they are here because they are hungry.

She explains that buying bread is difficult as she mixes rice with lentils and spinach and feeds it to her child.

Milk and rice are sometimes given to them, but we don't cook any vegetables. It's too expensive.

In the last few months, the economy has been devastated by a lack of foreign reserves and high inflation. The president has been accused of contributing to a crisis caused by the Pandemic and Shrinking Tourism.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, Sri Lanka is on the verge of a humanitarian emergency.

70% of the country's families have cut down on food since the start of the year, and stock of fuel and essential medicines are also running out.

The cost of living is so high that Ms Manel and her husband are taking loans to survive.

A single mother who lived off a jackfruit for three days was the inspiration for the kitchen.

People don't have a second plate of rice for the last four months.

The number of people in line for food has gone up from 50 to 250 a day. Food prices in Sri Lanka went up by 80% in June.

Most of the children he sees are not well nourished.

A pregnant woman who goes by her first name only is in the queue with her kids. She is anxious about when she will be born.

My kids are not happy. They are suffering in a lot of different ways. I don't have the money to buy a packet of biscuits or milk for my kids.

Sahna's husband makes just $10 a week to support the family.

Our leaders are doing a good job. She wants to know if their children are living happily.

Things will get worse before the child is born.

According to the mayor, the capital has enough food until September.

Families can't travel to buy fresh food or cook hot meals because of the lack of fuel and gas.

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Families are unable to buy what they used to buy. They are reducing the amount of food they eat. Christian Skoog, Unicef's representative in Sri Sri, said that malnutrition is a major concern in the country.

We're trying to prevent a crisis. It's good that we're not yet at children dying, but we need to get the help we need.

Unicef has appealed for urgent financial aid to treat thousands of children with acute malnutrition.

According to Dr Renuka Jayatissa, president of the Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association, acute malnutrition rates could go up from 15% to 20%.

People rely on the kindness of strangers in the midst of a crisis. It is becoming a precious commodity.

If it weren't for the goodwill of donors, Dr. Saman Kumara says his patients would have been at risk.

He urged more donors to come forward as patients' lives are in danger, because his hospital is now completely dependent on donations.

At the community kitchen, Chandrika is putting the last piece of food in her child's mouth.

The best days are over. She says that our children have a lot to look forward to.

I have no idea what will happen when they grow up.