Explosion at Port of Beirut pushes families into hunger crisis: With no food and nowhere to turn they face dire consequences.
Rush lifesaving aid today.
Emergency in
Lebanon
Photo: WFP/Adrian Hartrick
Massive explosion at the Port of Beirut deepens the hunger crisis in Lebanon. Rush lifesaving aid today.
Photo: WFP/Adrian Hartrick
The country was already in the grips of a profound financial crisis and reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, families have nowhere to turn.
85%
Lebanon relies on imports for 85% of its food
1M
More than 1 million Lebanese live in poverty
70%
70% of Lebanon’s trade passes through the Port of Beirut
The massive explosion at the Port of Beirut on Tuesday, August 4th has turned families’ smoldering hunger into a full-blown crisis.
Photo: AFP
Food Insecurity
Lebanon relies on imports for nearly 85 percent of its food. The extensive damage to the Port of Beirut – the largest port in the country – will restrict the flow of food supplies and push food prices beyond the reach of hungry families.
Photo: Photo: WFP/Edward Johnson
Poverty
One million people in Lebanon were already living below the poverty line, and fifty percent say they are worried they won’t have enough food to eat. Now lockdown measures are pushing millions more into dire circumstances.
Photo: AFP
Financial Crisis
These devastating events come as Lebanon faces its worst financial crisis, with 80% devaluation of the Lebanese currency, soaring unemployment, salary cuts, and thousands of families struggling to make ends meet.
WFP's Work
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is working at breakneck speed to help those who’ve become homeless overnight, were injured or lost loved ones in the blasts:
Food Assistance
WFP is providing emergency food assistance to 50,000 of the most vulnerable families (up to 270,000 people) affected by the economic and COVID-19 crises.
Cash Assistance
WFP is scaling up to reach up to 1 million people across the country with pre-loaded debit cards that can be used for food at local stores, up from 107,000 people.
Local Bakeries
WFP is delivering a 3-month supply of flour and grains to local bakeries and mills to help protect against food shortages as the country works to rebuild.
Rebuilding
WFP is providing logistical and supply chain expertise to augment Beirut Port facilities to ensure food stocks are replenished and there is no food shortage in the country.
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