The UN World Food Program (WFP) announced its plans to support the Lebanese people with providing about $65 million in humanitarian aid, MEMO reports.
The WFP Executive Director David Beasley met with the Lebanese leader Michel Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace. The high-ranking officials have discussed the latest development in the Middle Eastern country and ways of the exit from the deep crisis.
Hailing the WFP’s decision to continue supporting of Lebanon, Beasley noted that they hope to increase aid to include the 800,000 Lebanese in two months. He went on to say that contacts continue with donor countries to increase their financial contributions.
Lebanon’s President Aoun said the poverty rate in the country is approximately 74% of the total population and may reach 82% if necessary steps are not taken. Mentioning the importance of the WFP, he underlined that he hoped that it would succeed in its work to reach the goal of helping 1.6 million Lebanese by May.
Over two years, Lebanon has been grappling with some of the severest domestic challenges, including health crisis, currency devaluation, shortages of fuel and medicine. The continuos support of the international organizations, including the United Nations, is highly appreciated by the Lebanese people.