Lebanon Faces Worsening Food Crisis: Over 1 Million Affected, UN Warns

Amira Hejazieh walks amid rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli air after returning home following displacement during the war, in Tyre, southern Lebanon, on July 5, 2026 [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

According to the United Nations, nearly a quarter of Lebanon’s population, translating to over one million individuals, is currently experiencing severe food shortages. This crisis is attributed to two conflicts within the past two years and a severe economic downturn. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Programme (WFP), and Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture issued a joint statement on Wednesday, projecting that the number of people facing acute food shortages could increase to 1.15 million by mid-next year.

The joint statement highlighted the ongoing challenges: "Employment opportunities remain limited, savings have been depleted, and debt remains high, while the cost of food, fuel and other essentials continues to strain household budgets." Allison Oman Lawi, WFP representative and country director in Lebanon, elaborated on the severity of the situation, stating, "Some households can still draw on savings, borrow, cut expenses or find other ways to put food on the table. For others, those options are being exhausted. When families have nothing left to fall back on, even a small additional shock can push them deeper into crisis."

Lebanon’s Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani emphasized the need for immediate action, saying, "These findings call for a coordinated national response that addresses urgent food needs while protecting livelihoods and restoring productive capacity."

A man carries bags of groceries as he walks amid the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike, in Tyre, southern Lebanon, July 5, 2026 [Zohra Bensemra/Reuters]

Lebanese authorities have estimated the financial toll of two wars between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah since October 2023 at approximately $27 billion. The most recent conflict, which began in March, resulted in the displacement of over one million people in Lebanon, though this number has since decreased to around 300,000 as violence subsided in June.

Despite a framework deal brokered by the United States between Israel and the Lebanese government in June aimed at ending the fighting, Israeli forces continue to occupy Lebanese territory. The agreement stipulated an Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the vacated areas, with Lebanon expected to disarm Hezbollah, which is not a signatory to the accord. The outbreak of hostilities occurred as Lebanon was already grappling with its most severe economic crisis, which commenced in 2019. Beirut has been pursuing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout but has yet to implement the necessary reforms required by the institution to secure the aid.