Lebanon Plunges Deeper into Crisis: Over 1.25 Million Face Severe Food Insecurity
Beirut, Lebanon – A grim warning has emerged from a joint United Nations and Lebanese government report, revealing that more than 1.25 million people in Lebanon are teetering on the edge of crisis-level or even worse food insecurity. This alarming projection is set to materialize by August, painting a stark picture of a nation grappling with compounded adversities.
War Reverses Humanitarian Progress
The comprehensive report, a collaborative effort by Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), underscores a devastating truth: recent conflicts have systematically eroded hard-won humanitarian achievements. Lebanon, once striving for recovery, is now being dragged back into the abyss of crisis, intensified by relentless economic and living pressures.
Allison Oman Lawi, the WFP representative in Lebanon, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “The fragility previously flagged has now proven to be real.” She further elaborated on the plight of ordinary citizens: “Families who were just managing to cope are now being pushed back into crisis as conflict, displacement and rising costs collide, making food increasingly unaffordable.”
Agricultural Livelihoods Under Threat
Echoing these concerns, Nora Ourabah Haddad, FAO representative in Lebanon, highlighted the severe impact on the nation’s agricultural backbone. “Compounded shocks are undermining agricultural livelihoods and impacting food security, highlighting the urgent need for emergency agricultural assistance to support farmers and prevent further deterioration,” she urged.
For years, Lebanon has been caught in the throes of escalating economic and living crises. The recent surge in hostilities has only exacerbated these challenges, severely crippling the ability of countless individuals and families to secure their most basic needs.
