WFP: Number of Lebanese dependent on food aid dramatically increasing

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) continues to expand its aid campaign in Lebanon at a time when the country is grappling with one of the worst economic crises in the world, with more than half of the Lebanese population currently in need of aid to cover their food and other basic needs.

The sharp decline in the local currency has led to the citizens’ purchasing ability being completely paralyzed, with the Lebanese lira falling to a new record level every day, which led to an increase in food prices. Also, the price of the lowest food basket – which contains a set of basic foods that is sufficient for one family per month – has increased by more than 1,700 percent since October 2019.

“Food is now a major concern for many people in the country,” says Abdullah Al-Wardat, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Program in Lebanon.

 According to the World Food Program report on Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis of Lebanese Residents, Lebanese families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford nutritious foods and are forced to resort to harmful coping strategies such as reducing spending on health care or education or taking children out of school. Diets have also changed significantly, with some people saying they are consuming less dairy, animal protein, fruits and vegetables.

Food insecurity is closely linked to unemployment and declining household income, with the average salary in Lebanon currently covering 24 percent of basic food needs, down from 93 percent last year.