The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification issued its second Acute Food Insecurity Analysis.
The analysis conducted in Lebanon in May 2023 estimated that, in the current analysis period between May and October 2023, about 1.4 million Lebanese, Syrian and Palestine refugees in Lebanon (PRL), and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity and were classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above, corresponding to 25 percent of the analyzed population.
A total of 112,000 people (2 percent) were classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and about 1.3 million people (23 percent) in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). A total of 811,000 Lebanese (21 percent of the resident population), 540,000 Syrian refugees (36 percent of the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon), 54,000 PRL (30 percent of the PRL in Lebanon), and 11,000 PRS (35 percent of the PRS in Lebanon) were estimated to be in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above between May and October 2023. Populations classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above require urgent humanitarian action to reduce food gaps, diversify food intake, protect and restore livelihoods, and prevent acute malnutrition.
Factors
The economic and financial crisis that has affected Lebanon since October 2019 has significantly undermined the food security situation of those living in Lebanon, a country affected by institutional and social fragility and hosting a high number of refugees. The IPC considers that “rising inflation and record-high depreciation of the local currency continue to be key drivers of food insecurity impacting all the analyzed population groups.”
Lebanese Residents
According to the analysis, 16 out of the 26 districts were classified as being in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis). The highest incidence of acute food insecurity was observed in five districts: Akkar, Baalbek, Hermel, Minieh-Dennieh, and Tripoli, with 35 percent of the population in each district classified in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above, of which 5 percent was estimated in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). Additionally, five districts were estimated to have a Lebanese population facing emergency-level food insecurity, including El Koura, Hasbaya, Rachaya, West Bekaa, and Zahle, where 5 percent of the Lebanese resident population is classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The highest occurrence of acute food insecurity was in Akkar district (104,000), followed by Tripoli (70,000) and Baalbek (68,000). This was followed by Baabda (62,000) and El Meten (59,000) districts, which, even though classified as Phase 2, jointly host 121,000 Lebanese facing acute food insecurity.
