Summary of WFP assistance: WFP began its Syria response in Lebanon in June 2012, following an official request from the Government. Through the Regional Emergency Operation (EMOP), WFP provides food assistance to those that cannot meet their basic food needs. Electronic vouchers (e-cards) are provided to vulnerable Syrian refugees and oneoff food parcels to new arrivals awaiting registration. Each food parcel contains 13 different commodities that cover the basic needs of a family for a month. In addition, food assistance is also provided through cash transfers to half of the caseload of the UNRWA Palestinian refugees from Syria.
E-cards are WFP’s principal means of assistance to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, accounting for over 97 percent of the monthly caseload. Each month, around 75 percent of UNHCR registered Syrian refugees receive individual rations which can be exchanged for food of their choice in any of the 410 contracted shops across the country. E-cards were adopted as the primary modality of assistance as the local markets are capable of providing sufficient food for the host and refugee populations alike, eliminating the need to import large food quantities. Additionally, they enable beneficiaries to choose their preferred foods, allowing them to meet their consumption and nutritional needs effectively.
Lebanon’s population has grown by around 25 percent as a result of the influx of Syrian refugees, placing a strain on host communities – who are struggling to meet their own food needs. In 2015, WFP is supporting the Government to strengthen its social safety net programme which provides food assistance to vulnerable Lebanese populations affected by the Syria crisis. Under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan 2015-2016, WFP is also working closely with FAO and other partners to explore resilience and livelihood assistance to vulnerable host communities to help ease some of the strain.
WFP Lebanon’s operation is in line with WFP’s Strategic Objective 1 to save lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies as well as Millennium Development Goal 1 to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
