UN sends emergency food aid for a million Lebanese caught in war
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Volunteers preparing humanitarian aid for a million Lebanese caught in the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
PHOTO: AFP
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ROME – The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) launched an emergency operation to provide meals for a million people affected by the escalating conflict in Lebanon.
“A further acceleration of the conflict this weekend underscored the need for an immediate humanitarian response,” the Rome-based agency said in a statement on Sept 29, announcing that it was distributing ready-to-eat food rations, bread, hot meals and food parcels to shelters across the country.
Israel carried out new air strikes killing the Iran-backed group’s leader
His killing marked a sharp escalation in nearly a year of tit-for-tat cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah since the latter’s Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct 7
The bombing in Lebanon is “compounding the fragility of a population burdened by accumulated crises”, the WFP said.
“In just a few days, WFP assistance has reached thousands of newly displaced people,” Mr Matthew Hollingworth, the programme’s country director for Lebanon, said in the statement.
“As the crisis deepens, we are preparing to assist up to one million people through a mix of cash and food support,” he added, calling on the international community to mobilise US$105 million (S$134 million) to fund the operation till the end of 2024.
“Lebanon is at a breaking point and cannot endure another war,” WFP regional director Corinne Fleischer said. AFP
