Lebanon’s Food Insecurity: A Gendered Crisis Amidst Conflict Khartoum, Sudan – July 22, 2026 Amidst the ongoing political and economic instability, Lebanon’s food security situation has reached a critical juncture, with nearly 17% of its population—approximately 874,000 individuals—experiencing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity. This significant reversal from previous periods underscores the fragility of the country’s food security landscape.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), indicates that while there are signs of easing food insecurity, the situation remains highly sensitive to shocks.
The escalation in violence has reversed recent gains, pushing Lebanon back into crisis.
The analysis reveals that the ongoing insecurity and livelihood disruptions have led to widespread Crisis outcomes across various regions of Lebanon.
In particular, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to persist through January across South, El-Nabatieh, Beirut, Baalbek-El Hermel, Bekaa, Akkar, and parts of North and Mount Lebanon.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began in October 2023, has entered a new phase in early 2026. Despite a ceasefire in November 2024, persistent daily violations and Israel’s actions have continued to exacerbate the situation, profoundly impacting Lebanon’s food security and economy. This situation is further compounded by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, where FEWS NET estimates that 22.
0-22. 99 million people will be in need of humanitarian food assistance through September 2026. This underscores the broader challenges facing the region and the need for coordinated efforts to address food insecurity.
The research confirms that traditional household — level assessments often mask severe intra-household disparities, particularly affecting women and girls. They disproportionately absorb food scarcity through self-sacrifice and chronic dietary collapse, often framing individual deprivation as a “maternal duty. “.
As Lebanon grapples with the dual challenges of conflict and economic instability, the need for sustained and timely humanitarian and livelihood support becomes increasingly urgent.
The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and provide the necessary assistance to mitigate the impacts of acute food insecurity on the country’s most vulnerable populations.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Oxfam
