UN Lebanon Humanitarian Fund AllocatesUS$24 Million to Support South Lebanon and Vulnerable Communities Across the Country

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, has allocated a $24 million emergency aid package from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to support the country's most vulnerable populations, and address the urgent needs of those impacted by the ongoing hostilities in South Lebanon. "We are allocating these funds from the LHF at a time of unprecedented challenges. Lebanon is grappling with multiple crises, which have overwhelmed the country's capacity to cope. Despite our best efforts, only 25% of our annual appeal has been met. We urgently call on the international community for more support," Riza emphasized. The new LHF funding will provide urgent support to those in need, including food, shelter, healthcare, WaSH and protection. Specifically, $10 million from the LHF will be directed towards emergency relief for those affected by the hostilities in South Lebanon. Additionally, $13 million will be allocated to support vulnerable communities across Lebanon, and the remaining $1 million will be dedicated to empowering local NGOs, enhancing their ability to respond effectively to the multifaceted crisis. "As the escalation of hostilities in South Lebanon drags on longer than we had hoped, it has led to further displacement and deepened the already critical needs. The long-term consequences on vulnerable groups are particularly worrying - schools are closing, healthcare services are under strain, and basic services are being stretched thin", Riza warned. "The LHF has allowed us to support over 200,000 people, but this is still far from enough. Without sufficient funding, we are not only limited in addressing those immediate needs but also risk weakening our preparedness efforts and our capacity to address the other urgent crises Lebanon is currently facing," he added. In November 2023, in response to the escalation of hostilities on Lebanon's southern border, the LHF swiftly allocated $4.1 million to support advanced preparedness and immediate response efforts for those displaced and in need. This rapid response was further bolstered in February 2024, when the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocated an additional $9 million to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in Southern Lebanon. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) are pooled fund mechanisms managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to provide swift, effective, and accountable humanitarian aid. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2005, CERF is one of the fastest funding instruments available to help people affected by crises. The LHF, launched in 2014 and led by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, is a country-based fund managed by OCHA. It has received over US$ 184 million from donors to date, supporting timely and effective aid for Lebanon's most vulnerable populations, regardless of their status. Source: National news agency - Lebanon