Image depicting Food & Economic Crises in Lebanon
Photo: WFP/Hasan Noureddine/2020

Food & Economic Crises in Lebanon

Lebanon is facing a severe economic, political and social crisis on top of the Syrian refugee crisis.

Help the People of Lebanon Rebuild and Recover

Lebanon was already in the grips of a profound financial crisis and reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic when the deadly blasts hit the port of Beirut two years ago. Millions of Lebanese have since seen their living conditions deteriorate and today, nearly half of Lebanon’s population is hungry.

While WFP initially began working in Lebanon to assist Syrian refugees, our role has expanded over the years to include the Lebanese population – ensuring that both vulnerable Lebanese and refugees have sufficient, nutritious food throughout the year.

1.5M

Syrian refugees are in Lebanon

46%

of Lebanon's population is hungry

3M

Lebanese are living in poverty today

The Drivers of Lebanon's Food Crisis

Lying at the heart of a region beset by conflict and instability, Lebanon is experiencing a profound economic and food crisis in addition to the protracted Syrian refugee crisis.

Square photograph of Food Shortages Detailed photograph of Food Shortages
Photo: WFP/Edmond Khoury/2020

Food Shortages

The economic and political crisis in Lebanon has left most households short on food. Now, the outbreak of war in Ukraine threatens to send food prices skyrocketing and push basic foods out of reach. Lebanon imports more than 50% of its wheat from Ukraine.

Detailed photograph of Poverty
Photo: WFP/Edmond Khoury/2021

Poverty

The impact of the Beirut port blasts, a rapidly weakening local currency and the effects of COVID-19 have sent more people into poverty. Nine out of 10 Syrian refugee families in Lebanon are now living in extreme poverty.

Detailed photograph of Financial Crisis
Photo: WFP/Edward Johnson/2017

Financial Crisis

Between 2019 and June 2021, the national currency lost more than 90% of its value and by May 2021, WFP recorded an increase of 340% in the price of the basic food basket.

How WFP Is Helping in Lebanon

The United Nations World Food Programme remains at the forefront of the humanitarian response to Lebanon’s crisis.

Photo: WFP/Edmond Khoury/2021
Food Assistance

WFP is providing food parcels and cash-based assistance to over 1.4 million Lebanese nationals and Syrian refugees – more than one out of six people in the country.

Photo: WFP/Edward Johnson/2017
Cash Assistance

As of June 2021, WFP had injected $11.7M dollars into the local economy through cash-based assistance. This aid includes both value vouchers and cash.

Photo: WFP/Edward Johnson
School Meals

In February 2022, WFP reached nearly 70,000 Syrian and Lebanese students with cold meals (sandwiches and fruit/vegetables) prepared by students’ mothers.

Photo: WFP/Edward Johnson/2017
Food for Assets

Through WFP’s livelihoods program, communities participate in skills trainings and rehabilitation projects like the construction of roads and canal cleaning.

The Beirut Blasts

The explosions that reverberated across Beirut on August 4, 2020 devastated swathes of the city. 6,000 people were injured and an estimated 300,000 individuals were displaced from their homes. The port, through which 70% of Lebanon’s entire trade transits, also housed grain silos that were reduced to rubble.

In the immediate aftermath of the blast, WFP worked with partners including SHEILD, CARE and Lebanese Food Bank to provide food for communal kitchens and vulnerable families.

Take a Look Back at WFP's Response
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