The World Food Programme launched an emergency food operation on September 29, 2024, to assist up to one million individuals affected by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The initiative includes distributing food rations and meals, necessitating urgent financial support of $105 million to continue operations amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
The World Food Programme (WFP) initiated an emergency food operation on September 29, 2024, aimed at providing essential food assistance to up to one million individuals impacted by the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The operation includes the distribution of ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals, and food parcels to families residing in shelters across the country. WFP emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This weekend’s further acceleration of the conflict underscored the need for an immediate humanitarian response. This comes after thousands of people had already been displaced, compounding the fragility of a population burdened by accumulated crises.” As part of its ongoing efforts, WFP has already reached more than 66,000 individuals in shelters since the onset of the crisis. The agency identified a critical funding requirement of $105 million needed by the end of the year to sustain its operations and has called upon the international community to mobilize the necessary resources. Corinne Fleischer, WFP’s regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, stressed, “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.” Furthermore, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati remarked on the alarming scale of the displacement, predicting that the number of displaced individuals due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes may reach one million and labeled it as the largest displacement crisis in the nation’s history. He has urged for a ceasefire on all fronts as confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have dramatically intensified since October 8, 2023, following Hezbollah’s launch of rockets into Israel, coinciding with the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began escalating in early October 2023, has resulted in significant humanitarian needs in Lebanon. The escalation was characterized by Hezbollah’s solidarity gestures towards Hamas, leading to retaliatory actions from Israel including airstrikes. The situation has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crises in Lebanon, further straining the resources of local and international aid organizations. The WFP’s emergency food operation aims to address the urgent food security needs of the affected population, emphasizing the critical requirement for immediate support and funding.
In summary, the WFP’s emergency operation highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Lebanon due to the severe impacts of the ongoing conflict with Israel. With potential displacement reaching one million, immediate funding and international support are necessary to aid those affected and to promote stability in the region, as both the WFP and Lebanese leadership call for an end to hostilities.
Original Source: www.lokmattimes.com
