The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, has allocated a $24 million emergency aid package from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to support the country’s most vulnerable populations and address the urgent needs of those impacted by the ongoing hostilities in southern Lebanon.
“We are allocating these funds from the LHF at a time of unprecedented challenges. Lebanon is grappling with multiple crises, which have overwhelmed the country’s capacity to cope. Despite our best efforts, only 25% of our annual appeal has been met. We urgently call on the international community for more support,” Riza emphasized in a statement.
The statement highlighted that the new LHF funding will provide “urgent support to those in need, including food, shelter, healthcare, WaSH, and protection. Specifically, $10 million from the LHF will be directed towards emergency relief for those affected by the hostilities in southern Lebanon. Additionally, $13 million will be allocated to support vulnerable communities across Lebanon, and the remaining $1 million will be dedicated to empowering local NGOs, enhancing their ability to respond effectively to the multifaceted crisis.”
Riza warned that the prolonged escalation in southern Lebanon is exacerbating displacement and critical needs, with schools closing, healthcare services under strain, and basic services stretched thin. He noted that while the LHF has helped over 200,000 people, this is insufficient. Without adequate funding, they risk not only failing to meet immediate needs but also weakening their preparedness and response to other urgent crises in Lebanon.
In November 2023, the LHF allocated $4.1 million for immediate response and preparedness due to hostilities on Lebanon’s southern border. This was complemented by an additional $9 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in February 2024 to support vulnerable populations in southern Lebanon, the statement reads.
