Attachments
Overview
Key messages
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Food security in Lebanon improved driven by the increased coverage of humanitarian assistance by WFP, the Government, and partners in addition to the slight improvements seen in some economic indicators in 2023. However, the overarching and persistent economic and political crises, coupled with funding gaps, are putting at risk the food security gains witnessed so far.
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In 2023, WFP played a pivotal role in strengthening the Government's nascent social protection capacit. It is vital to continue this support in 2024, to enable the Government to run nationally-owned unified social safety nets in the near future.
The increased coverage of humanitarian and safety net assistance and the easing of some of the key drivers of food insecurity resulted in all population groups assisted in Lebanon experiencing improvements to their food security situation in 2023.
Macroeconomic improvements in the second half of the year, including a stabilized informal exchange rate, enhanced food supply chains, and more employment opportunities tempered the rapid depreciation of the Lebanese currency and high food price inflation witnessed in the first quarter of the year. As a result, the prevalence of acute food insecurity decreased from 25 percent to 19 percent between May and October 2023.
Despite these positive developments, Lebanon continued to face a deep socioeconomic and political crisis in 2023. A prolonged presidential vacuum, hindering the execution of an economic recovery plan and escalating tensions along Lebanon's southern borders since October 2023 has added to the complexities of the crisis.
In this challenging context, WFP continued to play a critical role in maintaining people's access to food and essential needs and strengthening the capacity of national institutions.
WFP is committed to supporting Lebanon’s priorities in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Core planning frameworks, including the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (2017-2023), the Emergency Response Plan (2021-2023), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2025), guide WFP's collaboration with the UN. WFP Lebanon’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) also aligns with Lebanon Reform, Recovery, and Reconstruction Frameworks (3RF) and the country’s commitments to Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 17.
In 2023, WFP supported over 1.3 million refugees and 840,000 Lebanese nationals, with an equal distribution of assistance between men and women[1], and 4 percent persons with disabilities. In addition, WFP implemented cash transfers for an additional 416,000 Lebanese individuals through the Government’s Emergency Social Safety Net. During 2023, WFP demonstrated an increased accountability towards affected populations by ensuring safer and more dignified access to assistance for marginalized people.
Following the rapid depreciation of the Lebanese pound and rising communal tensions at redemption points in the first few months of the year, WFP and UNHCR successfully advocated for the re-establishment of the use of US dollars as an optional disbursement currency to Lebanese pounds for Syrian refugees in May 2023. This shift resulted in significant operational improvements at redemption points and a substantial rise in the purchasing power of assisted families.
Moreover, WFP prioritized inclusivity for persons with disabilities. Field monitors conducted door-to-door validation and food distribution. WFP also adjusted food distribution sites and cash redemption points to make them more accessible for people with physical disabilities. The Country Office implemented reasonable workplace adjustments and integrated disability-inclusive training in livelihood programs. WFP call center played a vital role in gathering information about persons with disabilities and delivering targeted responses to prioritize and address their needs appropriately. In line with the strategic vision, WFP deepened support to national institutions to sustain the benefits derived from humanitarian assistance and strengthen national social safety nets.
2023 was a critical year for WFP and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) to consolidate lessons from the implementation and scale-up of national safety nets. WFP and the World Bank collaborated to merge the two