WFP Initiates Emergency Food Assistance in Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict
The World Food Programme has launched an emergency operation to provide food assistance to one million people impacted by escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The agency is distributing essential food items amidst growing displacement, calling for urgent funding of $105 million to sustain relief efforts. The humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels, with the Prime Minister indicating the scale of displacement could be the largest in Lebanese history.
On September 29, 2024, the World Food Programme (WFP) initiated an emergency food operation designed to assist up to one million individuals affected by the recent intensification of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The WFP’s announcement detailed the distribution of essential food items including ready-to-eat rations, bread, hot meals, and food parcels to families residing in shelters across the nation. The urgency of the situation was emphasized, with the agency stating that the escalation of conflict necessitated an immediate humanitarian response amidst ongoing displacement, which has compounded an already fragile population facing multiple crises. Since the onset of the crisis, WFP has actively provided assistance on the ground, reaching over 66,000 individuals in shelters nationwide. However, to sustain these critical operations, the WFP urgently appeals for $105 million to be raised by the end of the year and calls on the international community to support the humanitarian response efforts. Regional Director Corinne Fleischer underscored the precarious state of Lebanon by stating, “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.” The alarming upsurge in the number of displaced individuals has drawn attention to the challenges posed by the current conflict. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati highlighted that the count of displaced persons due to Israeli airstrikes may approach one million, labeling the displacement as potentially “the largest in the history of Lebanon,” thereby calling for a ceasefire across all fronts. The tensions between Hezbollah and Israel escalated after Israel redirected its military engagements from the Gaza Strip to the northern front, leading to intensified confrontations that began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, triggering retaliatory Israeli strikes in southeastern Lebanon.
The World Food Programme plays a critical role in providing humanitarian assistance in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East, which has seen prolonged instability and humanitarian crises. The situation in Lebanon has recently worsened due to an outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with numerous civilians facing displacement and food insecurity. As a response, organizations like WFP mobilize resources and efforts to provide aid, ensuring basic needs such as food and shelter are met for those affected. The region’s historical and socio-political context adds a significant layer of complexity to the ongoing humanitarian needs, especially considering Lebanon’s precarious national situation amidst overlapping crises.
In light of the severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the World Food Programme’s emergency operation reflects an urgent need to provide essential food assistance to a vulnerable population. The call for significant funding and international support highlights the precarious state of Lebanon, which is grappling with an unprecedented level of displacement. With growing tensions and uncertainties in the region, the immediate priority remains the delivery of humanitarian aid while also advocating for a peaceful resolution to avert further escalation of violence.
Original Source: www.lokmattimes.com
