Urgent Action to Provide Food Parcels in Lebanon

The economic situation inside Lebanon continues to rapidly deteriorate. The price of a typical monthly food basket has more than doubled over the past six months. Food supplies have been further disrupted in the wake of August’s explosions in Beirut. This instability - together with the falling value of the Lebanese pound - has pushed food prices beyond the reach of large numbers of people.

The World Bank has reported that one million people in Lebanon - that’s one in every seven people - are now living below the poverty line. Some 300,000 people remain homeless following the August explosions in Beirut. The country’s most vulnerable people - particularly children - are in urgent need of support.

Working together on the ground

War Child is active in Lebanon working to provide children from both refugee and host communities with integrated education, child protection and psychosocial support. Yet these efforts can fall short of our goals unless basic needs - such as nutrition and shelter - are first met.

That's why - as part of UN humanitarian coordination efforts - we have entered into partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs to distribute food parcels to vulnerable families. The first phase of the initiative in September saw 600 families receive food parcels and hygiene kits. A second phase to reach a further 600 families will follow imminently.

“It’s vital that we help families in times such as these in any way we can,” says Judge Abdullah Ahmad, Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs.

The distribution took place at the Lebanese University campus in Hadath on the outskirts of Beirut. Caregivers were welcomed to the campus and registered details about their living conditions with the Ministry to ensure they can access continuing support in the weeks to come. "We rely on efforts such as these,” says father of four Khaled. "My family is fully dependent on me."

Emergency response activities

War Child staff and volunteers in Lebanon continue with emergency efforts to respond to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the Beirut explosions. The emergency responses encompass remote delivery of education for children who can’t attend school and action to meet urgent humanitarian needs.

War Child will also in the weeks to come step up efforts to provide psychosocial care and support to children and families in Beirut experiencing shock and continuing trauma following the explosions in the city.

Support our emergency efforts to meet urgent needs in Lebanon. Donate now.