World Renew and Middle East Revive and Thrive (MERATH) are cooperating on a food assistance project in the Akkar, Beirut, Bekaa, North, and Mount Lebanon Governorates of Lebanon.
The outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 brought an escalation of hostilities between Israel and nonstate armed groups in South Lebanon, escalating significantly since September 2024 to include continuous IDF airstrikes across the country. The intensifying conflict continues to drive internal displacement, to disrupt the livelihoods of households remaining in their homes and to reduce food security.
As of September 2024, crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are becoming more widespread, and FEWS NET assesses the population in need of urgent humanitarian food assistance has risen to 2-2.5 million people (approximately 35-40 percent of the country’s population). Northern Lebanon continues to be the primary destination for internally displaced people (IDPs). The region is hosting 61% of the displaced population, and the IPC projections show worsening food insecurity amidst a context of ongoing economic decline and rising unemployment.
The project will provide nine monthly transfers of in-kind food rations to 945 households per month. Due to ongoing displacement within Lebanon, a significant amount of participant turnover is expected. MERATH anticipates assisting about 1,890 households with 7,560 people over the 9 months. The boxes will contain 40.6 kg of food, consisting of: rice, pasta, bulgur wheat, kidney beans, lentils, sunflower oil, sugar, canned tomato paste, raw chickpeas, salt, wheat flour, humus and canned meat.