Republic of Korea Supports WFP’s School Meals and Food Assistance for Vulnerable Families in Lebanon

On 25 February 2026, H.E. Mr. Gyusuk Geon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon, visited WFP‑supported activities in South Lebanon, highlighting the Republic of Korea’s commitment to strengthening food security and supporting communities affected by Lebanon’s prolonged economic crisis and the impact of recent conflict.

In Habboush, a town in southern Lebanon, the delegation visited Habboush Primary Public School, one of 325 public primary schools supported by WFP nationwide under the national school meals programme, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE). Since 2016, the programme has supported vulnerable Lebanese and refugee children with nutritious meals that improve dietary diversity, school attendance, and concentration.

The school serves 930 students and operates a cold kitchen model, with 13 volunteer mothers preparing fresh meals daily using locally sourced ingredients. Ninety‑two percent of these ingredients are procured through WFP’s “from farm to school” approach, supporting Lebanese small retailers and agribusinesses.

More broadly, WFP’s national school feeding programme reached 116,000 Lebanese and Syrian refugee students in public primary schools last month alone, providing nutritious snacks and fresh sandwiches prepared in 51 school kitchens across the country.

The delegation also visited an in‑kind food distribution site in Nabatieh, where vulnerable families receive monthly food baskets covering approximately 60 percent of household food needs. As purchasing power continues to decline following the 2019 financial crisis, in‑kind food assistance remains a critical lifeline for households facing food insecurity. Last month alone, WFP reached 49,000 Lebanese people with regular in‑kind food assistance, distributing 646 metric tons of food, including rice donated by the Republic of Korea.

Through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), the Republic of Korea contributed 864 metric tons of rice—equivalent to over USD 1 million—to WFP Lebanon in November 2025. On the day of the visit alone, 504 households in Nabatieh were scheduled to receive assistance, including food parcels and 2,277 kilograms of Korean rice.

“The Republic of Korea’s support comes at a critical time for families across Lebanon who continue to face immense economic hardship and compounding crises,” said Anne Valand, WFP Representative and Country Director ad interim in Lebanon. “By investing in school meals and providing essential food commodities, the Republic of Korea is helping children stay focused in the classroom and ensuring vulnerable families can meet their basic food needs with dignity.”

“I was honoured to visit South Lebanon and witness the transformative impact of Korea’s rice donation to WFP, delivering hope and nutrition to families affected by the food crisis after conflict. This meaningful support embodies our SHINE Initiative, which reflects Korea’s vision of solidarity, hope, and inclusive partnership with the Middle East, contributing to stability and prosperity across the region.”, said Ambassador Geon.

Looking ahead to 2027, WFP will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Republic of Korea to reach the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon, including through a potential upcoming rice contribution from MAFRA and a joint South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) initiative with the Yemen Country Office.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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