WFP Lebanon welcomes contribution from the Republic of Korea to support vulnerable families and schoolchildren
The donation, totalling 864 metric tons of Korean rice, will be used to strengthen two of WFP Lebanon’s key activities: in-kind food assistance to economically vulnerable families and take-home rations for schoolchildren under the national school meals programme.
Through WFP’s emergency assistance, families will receive rice as part of their regular monthly food parcels distributed at WFP sites nationwide. The support will reach an estimated 27,000 households – around 108,000 people – for eight months, from January to August 2026.
In parallel, through WFP’s school meals programme, children enrolled in public schools will receive take-home rations including rice, benefiting their families as well. This component will support 54,000 households (216,000 people) over two months, from January to February 2026, helping families offset rising food costs.
“We are grateful for this first-ever in-kind contribution from the Republic of Korea. WFP cannot confront Lebanon’s overlapping crises and the uncertainty they bring without the strong and predictable support of partners like the Republic of Korea,” said Matthew Hollingworth, WFP Representative and Country Director in Lebanon. “Such solidarity allows us to stand by families through difficult times, especially given the challenging funding environment, and ensure that their basic food needs continue to be met.”
Lebanon continues to face the ripple effects of the aftermath of conflict, economic decline, regional instability, and high food prices, with one in four people currently facing crisis-level food insecurity. WFP works closely with national institutions, partners, and donors to ensure that the most vulnerable households can access the food they need while strengthening local systems and community resilience.
H.E. Gyusuk Geon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon said “Korea is proud to support families and schoolchildren across Lebanon during a difficult time. By providing this in-kind contribution of rice, we aim to help ease the pressure on vulnerable households and strengthen food security. Our partnership with WFP reflects Korea’s continued commitment to standing with Lebanon and supporting its path toward stability and resilience.”
The Republic of Korea has been a longstanding partner of WFP globally and in Lebanon, supporting efforts to enhance food security.
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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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