WFP: Lebanon Faces One of Its Most Severe Food Insecurity Crises

Lebanon — Ekhbary News Agency

Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that Lebanon is currently experiencing one of the most severe phases of food insecurity in its history. She highlighted significant funding obstacles amidst the ongoing Israeli war, which has further complicated the humanitarian landscape in the country.

Escalating Crisis Amidst Conflict and Economic Woes

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis reveals that approximately one million people in Lebanon, representing one in four individuals, are suffering from acute food insecurity. This recent escalation has reversed the gains achieved last year. Etefa attributed the deteriorating conditions to the armed conflict and subsequent displacement from South Lebanon, compounded by economic contraction and rising food and fuel prices. These factors have eroded the purchasing power of Lebanese households, making daily access to food a significant challenge for millions.

WFP Response and Operational Hurdles

The WFP has been providing daily and monthly assistance to around 600,000 people through hot meals and cash aid. However, the organization faces considerable challenges in accessing southern regions and continues to grapple with funding difficulties. Despite these hurdles, the WFP strives daily to deliver aid convoys, focusing on the poorest, most vulnerable, and fragile populations. The spokesperson emphasized that a lasting solution to Lebanon's humanitarian crisis lies in a ceasefire and the stabilization of the overall situation. A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the WFP indicates that 1.2 million people in Lebanon will face high levels of acute food insecurity, classified as IPC Phase 3, between April and August of this year.