Lebanon (MNN) — Nearly a third of Lebanon’s population is facing acute food insecurity, the United Nations warns, with 400,000 new people in crisis since Israeli and Hezbollah clashes intensified last year.
“In September 2024, we had this mass exodus out of southern Lebanon; 1/4 of the population moved in less than 48 hours,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.
Approximately 40 percent of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are facing crisis-level hunger, according to the UN.
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)
People lost their jobs due to the departure, and savings quickly evaporated, creating a new demand for food aid. “Then, you have people who spend so much money trying to relocate,” Melki says, describing another factor driving food insecurity.
“Those people spend the little resources they have on survival and eventually lose whatever cash they have in their pockets to buy food.”
Some groups exploit the situation and use food aid as a political football.
“Take Hezbollah, for example. Here’s a political paramilitary group that drove Lebanon into this war and now expects the government to bail out their own people [but] the government has no resources at all,” Melki says.
“The Lebanese people did not choose to be into this war, and now they’re being held hostage by political parties who extend aid with the expectancy that, in return, you would be aligned with their political views.”
By contrast, Heart for Lebanon extends help without strings attached, leading to Gospel growth.
“When they see the true, unconditional love that we offer them, it gives us the opportunity to share the message of the Gospel,” Melki says.
“Today, more than seven Bible study groups have emerged since that crisis started. They want to know what the Christian faith is all about and who Jesus is. We say we come in the name of Jesus Christ, but we are talking to people who might have never heard about Jesus before.”
Consider partnering with Heart for Lebanon to meet ever-growing needs.
“If you choose to support us, remember that you are helping [to meet] a need of today, but more importantly, you’re helping for eternity,” Melki says.
In the header image, Heart for Lebanon team members distribute food aid packages. Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.
