Lebanon

USAID is providing humanitarian assistance in response to catastrophic explosions that rocked the Port of Beirut in Lebanon on August 4, 2020

Michael R Czaja, PhD | USAID/BHA

Key Developments

During a visit to Lebanon on November 9, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced an additional $72.5 million to enable the UN World Food Program to provide emergency food assistance to approximately 650,000 vulnerable people countrywide.

In October, Government of Lebanon (GoL) authorities declared the country's first cholera outbreak since 1993, with more than 2,700 confirmed and suspected cases and 18 associated deaths recorded as of November 7, according to the UN.

More than 500 Syrian refugees returned to Syria on the first day of GoL-facilitated movements on October 26; relief actors continue to emphasize refugees' right to dignified, safe, and voluntary returns.

Background

Lebanon has experienced several large socioeconomic shocks due to overlapping crises in late 2019 and 2020, including ongoing political instability, the steep deterioration of the economy, and the emergence of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).  Hyperinflation, the depreciation of the Lebanese lira, lack of livelihood opportunities, and rising prices has diminished the purchasing power of many Lebanese households, increasing vulnerabilities.  Meanwhile, COVID-19 has strained health care system capacity and contributed to deteriorating socioeconomic conditions in the country.  In November 2019, the World Bank estimated that the combined impacts of soaring inflation and the rapid rise in the price of many basic goods could push more than 50 percent of the Lebanese population below the poverty line during 2020, an increase of approximately 20 percent compared to 2018 estimates.