WFP Launches Emergency Food Operation for Conflict-Affected Populations in Lebanon

The World Food Programme has launched an emergency food operation in Lebanon to assist up to one million people affected by the recent escalation in conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The initiative entails the distribution of various food items and emphasizes the urgent need for funding to sustain operations amid escalating displacement and humanitarian crises in the region.

On September 29, 2024, the World Food Programme (WFP) initiated an emergency food operation to assist approximately one million individuals impacted by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The agency’s response involves the distribution of ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals, and food parcels to displaced families residing in shelters throughout the country. The WFP has acknowledged that the escalation of violence over the weekend necessitated an immediate humanitarian response, as the conflict has already displaced thousands, further destabilizing a vulnerable population already grappling with multiple crises. The WFP has outlined that it has been actively engaged in providing assistance since the onset of the crisis, having reached more than 66,000 individuals in shelters across Lebanon. However, the agency has stated that it urgently requires $105 million by the end of the fiscal year to sustain these critical operations. Corinne Fleischer, the WFP’s regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, emphasized the dire circumstances, asserting, “Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war. WFP is on the ground, but we urgently need funds. More urgently, the people in the region need peace.” Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati further reported that the number of people displaced due to Israeli airstrikes could reach one million, marking a potential record in the history of Lebanon’s conflicts. He has called for a ceasefire on all fronts as violent confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified, particularly following Hezbollah’s missile strikes on Israel that began on October 8, 2023, in support of Hamas.

The recent surge in conflict between Israel and Hezbollah represents a significant humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, which has been compounded by a series of economic and political challenges. The ongoing violence has led to a spike in casualties and displacements, leading international agencies like the WFP to respond with emergency relief efforts. In this context, Lebanon has struggled with the impacts of previous conflicts, economic instability, and a refugee crisis, all of which have strained its resources and social infrastructure. This emergency operation aims to address the urgent food security needs of those affected by the conflict.

In summary, the WFP’s emergency operations in Lebanon highlight the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the wake of increased violence between Israel and Hezbollah. With a call for $105 million in funding, the WFP emphasizes the critical state of food insecurity facing displaced families. Statements from WFP officials and the Lebanese government underline the severity of the situation, pressing for international support and a cessation of hostilities as Lebanon teeters on the brink of humanitarian disaster.

Original Source: www.lokmattimes.com