Highlights
As WFP transitions to a new Regional Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) to address the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, funding for basic food assistance through cashbased transfers is currently only secured until mid-February.
In December, WFP assisted 770,665 people: 690,061 Syrian refugees; 15,911 Palestinian refugees from Syria; 1,400 people under rapid income generation and food for assets activities; 10,534 primary school children with daily snacks; 52,759 vulnerable Lebanese were assisted through the Government of Lebanon’s National Poverty Targeting Programme (NPTP).
Operational Updates
WFP together with partner agencies completed the process of replacing blue e-cards with new red e-cards across Lebanon. The new Common Cards are used jointly by WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR and the Lebanese Cash Consortium (LCC) to transfer various forms of humanitarian assistance. They can be used both in WFP-contracted shops and at any ATM in the country.
Beneficiaries receive a booklet at the distribution informing them of the types of assistance that the ecard can provide, the agencies providing it and hotlines contacts. Additional information is available on www.refugees.lebanon.org.A comprehensive shop selection process was completed, resulting in WFP expanding its network of local shops where the e-card is redeemable at nearly 500 stores including three chains. Both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese eligible for food assistance have been informed of the expanded network. All new shops will be listed on www.refugees.lebanon.org.
