WFP Lebanon Emergency Response: Situation Report 4 - 17 October 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

WFP continues to swiftly respond to the urgent needs of people affected by the ongoing conflict. Since 23 September, WFP has reached 202,100 people with cash and/or food assistance, including 1.2 million meals. These include people taking refuge in shelters, those displaced to safer areas, and residents remaining in conflict zones.

WFP, jointly with UNHCR, UNFPA and UNICEF conducted the third joint convoy of 14 trucks to villages in South Lebanon, delivering WFP’s Ready-To-Eat rations (RTEs), bread and other humanitarian assistance to 8,400 individuals affected by the conflict.

As the conflict intensifies and humanitarian needs arise, soon exacerbated by winter challenges, WFP urgently requires US$ 116 million by the end of the year to sustain its emergency operations. This funding is critical to support not only displaced individuals in shelters but also to expand assistance to over 1 million affected people.

IN NUMBERS

202,100 people assisted

114 WFP Trucks Delivered 569 mt of food across Lebanon

US$ 116 million needed until the end of 2024

1.28 million meals distributed

530 mt of food distributed

US$ 1.13 million Transferred Cash Assistance

*All reported figures are since 23 September

SITUATION UPDATE

The escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since 23 September 2024 has further strained Lebanon’s fragile situation, resulting in over 2,412 deaths and 11,267 injuries (since October 2023). The risk of regional conflict grows as Israeli strikes last week impacted the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The strikes injured five peacekeepers, damaged infrastructure, and raised concerns over the safety of peacekeepers and the mission’s ability to operate effectively.

Israeli airstrikes have hit several towns across Lebanon, affecting nearly 1.3 million people and causing mass displacement of almost 780,000 people as per IOM. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted the education sector, displacing about 393,300 public and private school students while 77 percent of the public schools are not providing educational services due to either being used as shelters or being in directly affected areas.

To date, 193,000 displaced people are staying in 1,097 shelters, while others are staying with their families, or crossing to Syria.

Refugees face worsening conditions as they have limited access to UNRWA shelters most of which reached their maximum capacities. As per the Lebanese General Security, around 466,200 people have reportedly crossed into Syria since 23 September (of which 72 percent Syrians and 28 percent Lebanese). Almost 6,000 Syrian refugees are caught in the ongoing conflict in the South. Unable to evacuate earlier due to safety concerns, they now find it too late to escape.