Lebanon Faces Acute Food Insecurity, 1.17 Million People in Crisis

Strategic Insights -

Lebanon continues to struggle with food insecurity, with 21% of its population, or 1.17 million individuals, facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2025. This figure represents a gradual recovery compared to earlier this year, but gains remain fragile without sustained support. The country is grappling with significant challenges, including agricultural infrastructure damage, rising inflation rates, economic stagnation, and funding gaps in humanitarian programs. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report highlights the urgent need for predictable and sustained humanitarian assistance to ensure improvements hold.

Key Takeaways:

  • 1.17 million individuals, or 21% of Lebanon's population, are facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2025.
  • The figure represents a gradual recovery compared to earlier this year, when 1.65 million people were affected following the conflict.
  • The country continues to face major challenges, including agricultural infrastructure damage, rising inflation rates, economic stagnation, and funding gaps in humanitarian programs.
  • The report highlights the urgent need for predictable and sustained humanitarian assistance to ensure improvements hold.
  • Lebanon's internally displaced persons are estimated at around 100,000 people.
  • The report identifies the highest levels of food insecurity in the governorates of Baalbek-Hermel, Baabda, Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, Nabatieh, Tyre, and Akkar.
  • Around 591,000 Lebanese (15% of Lebanese households), approximately 515,000 Syrian refugees (37% of Syrian refugees), and nearly 67,000 Palestinian refugees (30% of Palestinian refugees) are currently living under crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
  • IPC projections estimate that the number of affected individuals will rise to 1.24 million people between July and October 2025 due to seasonal factors and economic contraction.
  • Lebanon's agriculture is a vital pillar for resilience and recovery, and urgent, targeted support is essential to restore production, stabilize food access, and build long-term resilience in affected communities.

Statistics:

  • 1.17 million individuals face crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity (April-June 2025).
  • 21% of Lebanon's population faces acute food insecurity (April-June 2025).
  • 15% of Lebanese households (591,000) and 37% of Syrian refugees (approximately 515,000) face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
  • 30% of Palestinian refugees (nearly 67,000) face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
  • IPC projections estimate 1.24 million affected individuals by July-October 2025 (23% of the population).
  • Lebanon's GDP is still 34% below 2019 levels.
  • Funding gaps in humanitarian programs remain a significant challenge.

Sources:

  • Lebanon: Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report (April-October 2025)
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Lebanon
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)