Beirut:More than one million people in Lebanon are currently experiencing Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, and this number is projected to increase to 1.15 million by mid-2027. The situation demands urgent action as it is fueled by ongoing insecurity, economic pressures, and weakened livelihoods, According to latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
According to Relief Web, the analysis, conducted in September 2026 by the Ministry of Agriculture with support from international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), reveals the impact of successive crises on household food security and the ability of families to cope. The analysis estimates that 1.05 million individuals, representing 21 percent of the population analyzed, will face Crisis or worse levels of food insecurity between September 2026 and February 2027.
By mid-2027, the number of people facing severe food insecurity is expected to rise to 1.15 million, or 24 percent of the population, with 97,000 people projected to be in Emergency conditions. Although the current figures are below the peak projected during the April 2026 displacement crisis, this does not indicate a sustained improvement in food security. The improvement is attributed to changes in conflict and displacement conditions, while purchasing power and livelihood opportunities remain severely constrained.
The report indicates that employment opportunities are limited, savings have been depleted, and debt levels remain high. The cost of food, fuel, and other essentials continues to strain household budgets, with many families relying on difficult coping strategies and humanitarian assistance to maintain minimum food consumption. The conditions are particularly concerning in conflict-affected districts in southern Lebanon and vulnerable areas such as Akkar and Baalbek-Hermel, where agricultural livelihoods are weakened by damage to farmland and high production costs.
Lebanese residents, Syrian refugees, and Palestine refugees are all affected, with the highest food insecurity levels among those who arrived from Syria after December 2024. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes the need for a coordinated national response to address urgent food needs while protecting livelihoods and restoring productive capacity. Key to this response is supporting farmers, safeguarding rural household incomes, and strengthening local food production to enable communities to recover and build resilience.
The report calls for sustained humanitarian assistance and investment in livelihoods, agricultural recovery, and economic resilience. Coordination among national institutions, humanitarian and development partners, and donors is deemed essential to prevent further deterioration and support a sustainable recovery for vulnerable communities across Lebanon.
