The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is warning that nearly three months into the conflict, Lebanon faces a deepening humanitarian emergency marked by mass displacement and worsening food insecurity, according to a press release by WFP. More than one million people remain displaced across the country, while soaring prices, lost incomes, and strained markets are placing food further out of reach for vulnerable families. WFP has rapidly scaled up its response nationwide, though the situation remains highly fragile. Sustained humanitarian access, stable supply flows, and predictable funding are described as critical to maintaining assistance. The agency requires USD 112 million between May and August 2026 to continue its operations.
Since 2 March, WFP has reached more than 700,000 conflict-affected people across Lebanon with emergency food and cash assistance. On average, the agency has supported close to 150,000 people per day since the escalation. Support has included hot meals, ready-to-eat rations, and food parcels for families sheltering in displacement sites. Daily bombardments and displacement orders continue to challenge humanitarian access, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. A total of 24 humanitarian convoys have been deployed to southern Lebanon, including border villages, Tyre, and Hermel.
Current WFP assistance includes emergency cash support for close to half a million Lebanese through national systems, alongside cash support for more than 100,000 Syrian refugees. Since the onset of the emergency, WFP has distributed nearly five million hot meals, prioritizing newly displaced families arriving with limited belongings. More than 215,000 displaced people across over 500 shelters have received support, alongside approximately 85,500 people in host communities and hard-to-reach areas. More than 50 percent of requested convoys have been delayed or cancelled due to movement and access risks. A shipment of 250 metric tons of wheat flour recently entered Lebanon through the corridor with Jordan, supporting approximately 10,000 vulnerable households.
The WFP-led Logistics Cluster has supported a total of 64 partners, including UNFPA, UNRWA, IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR, and international and national NGOs. Of these, 18 have used the logistics services to transport nearly 2,500 m³ of cargo. The latest food security analysis confirms a sharp deterioration nationwide, with 1.24 million people — nearly one in four — facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or worse) between April and August 2026. Displacement, rising food and fuel prices, market disruptions, and broader economic shocks are driving the crisis. While food remains available in many areas, it is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
Since the start of the escalation, vegetable prices have risen by more than 20 percent, while bread prices have increased by around 15 percent. Market conditions vary significantly across the country: in southern Lebanon and Nabatieh, more than 80 percent of markets are no longer functioning. In Beirut and other areas, markets remain operational but under growing strain. To sustain life-saving assistance, WFP requires USD 44.1 million per month through August 2026. Without adequate and predictable funding, the agency cautions, its ability to maintain emergency food and cash assistance for vulnerable families across Lebanon will be at risk.
