The United Nations food agency is facing difficulties in meeting the nutritional needs of crisis-hit Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The clashes started in October following Hamas’ actions in southern Israel, and tensions between the two sides continue to escalate. The UN World Food Program provides aid to over 158,000 people in Lebanon, but lacks the funding to address growing humanitarian needs in the event of further escalation.
Donor fatigue and shrinking international aid budgets make it unclear where additional funding for the crisis-hit Lebanon can come from. The UN agency has been managing based on existing resources, but fears that supplies could drain quickly if the situation worsens. Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis since 2019, exacerbated by hosting over 1 million refugees from Syria. Food inflation in Lebanon is one of the worst globally, comparable only to countries like Zimbabwe and Argentina.
The conflict on the Lebanese-Israeli border has escalated, sparking fears of a regional war. Israeli strikes have killed over 370 people in Lebanon, including fighters from Hezbollah, as well as civilians. Strikes launched from Lebanon have also resulted in casualties in Israel. Top officials from the World Bank visited Lebanon to check on projects aiding vulnerable families, addressing the country’s economic and financial crisis that has increased poverty. Funding for assistance programs is decreasing, impacting the agency’s ability to support those in need.
The World Food Program is providing aid to about 100,000 vulnerable families in Lebanon through a cash assistance program in collaboration with the World Bank. However, funding constraints are hindering efforts to scale up such assistance programs. Approximately 25% of Lebanese and refugees are acutely food insecure, with the agency estimating to support only about 1.5 million people this year, compared to 2.5 million aided last year. The agency is striving to find ways to address the increasing food insecurity amid the ongoing crisis and worsening economic conditions in Lebanon.
Carl Skau, the deputy executive director of the UN World Food Program, visited a warehouse in Dekwaneh, Lebanon, where food rations are stocked to assist those affected by the conflict. With the situation on the border heightening and tensions escalating, the agency is concerned about the rapid depletion of supplies without a backup plan. The conflict exacerbates Lebanon’s existing challenges, including the economic crisis and hosting a large refugee population. As the situation remains volatile, efforts to address humanitarian needs and food insecurity in Lebanon are hindered by limited funding and ongoing violence.
