The United Nations has announced a new initiative to allocate $24 million from the humanitarian fund to support Lebanon’s most vulnerable populations. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, detailed how this funding will address urgent needs across the country. The focus will be on providing immediate assistance to the southern regions affected by recent crises.
The funds will support critical needs, including food, shelter, and healthcare for those in dire need. Riza has called on the international community to deliver additional urgent assistance to strengthen humanitarian efforts in Lebanon. He emphasized that humanitarian organizations have only met 25% of this year’s appeal so far.
A recent World Bank report from May revealed that poverty rates in Lebanon have more than tripled over the past decade, now affecting 44% of the population. The report, which surveyed households in Akkar, Beirut, the Bekaa, northern Lebanon, and much of Mount Lebanon, found that one in three Lebanese in these areas experienced poverty in 2022. This underscores the urgent need to strengthen social safety nets and create job opportunities to mitigate poverty and address rising inequalities.
This initiative is a vital step in supporting those hit hardest by the ongoing economic and social challenges in Lebanon, echoing the broader need for innovative solutions and support in global crises.
