The explosion destroyed 85% of Lebanon’s grain reserves, and we anticipate that food shortage will affect much of the country’s population. Already before the explosion, food security in Lebanon was a cause of serious concern, with one million people already living below the poverty line and 45 percent of the Lebanese population sliding into poverty, according to the World Bank.
Hyperinflation had already caused food to become scarce and costly, especially for the vulnerable populations in the areas around the Life Center. In response to the growing food crisis, we have distributed bread and hot meals daily to the people of the area. This is the only meal of the day for many. We value your support with the food program as more and more lose the ability to afford even the most basic meal.
Because of Covid-19, and Aug 4 explosion, UNICEF through “World Vision”, launched a program to support all the families in our area which count by thousands, we’ve found it a big opportunity to help everyone apply to UNICEF.
Mid-September we replaced the “Hot Meals” cooking and distribution, by giving food vouchers to beneficiaries, so they can buy food according to their choice from one of the malls we are partnering with.
We also used the Life Center facility to help all affected families living in Bourj Hamoud to apply for financial support with UNICEF, and we are still running this program until October 25, 2020. Thousands of families are showing up to the Life Center on a daily basis and filling online forms. Thanks be to the World Vision staff who are assisting those families. We would love to resume the Hot meals distribution, a meal would cost 1$ , feel free to support as many meals as you want.