Saudi Arabia donates US$2 million to WFP relief operations in Lebanon

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The donation is part of the proceeds generated through a 26 July telethon when the Saudi people enthusiastically contributed to those Lebanese affected by the ongoing conflict.

'This generous Saudi donation will cover nearly a quarter of the food requirements for the emergency three-month operation; it will ensure that those Lebanese people affected by this crisis receive much-needed assistance,' said John Powell, WFP's Deputy Executive Director.

WFP operations within the UN flash appeal are budgeted at a total of US$48 million, including logistical support; US$8.9 million is for emergency food aid, to respond to the immediate food requirements of displaced Lebanese. WFP is prioritising assistance to 95,000 people seeking shelter in schools and public institutions in Beirut, 165,000 people in the heaviest hit areas of southern Lebanon and 50,000 of the approximately 140,000 people who have fled into neighbouring Syria.

WFP is now planning at least two convoys a day to the south, which has borne the brunt of the bombardment, and is rapidly expanding the range of its operations across Lebanon to reach as many of the displaced as possible.

In addition, over the weekend, a WFP-chartered Ilyushin-76 flew from Brindisi, Italy, to Latakkia in northern Syria, carrying temporary warehouses and generators to be transported to Arida, which is WFP's loading hub for all UN humanitarian supplies to be transported on UN convoys into Lebanon.

The conflict in Lebanon has left over 800,000 people displaced amidst the wreckage of damaged infrastructure and a shortage of essential goods and services. This has been accompanied by soaring prices, with many commodities more than doubling in price over the past few days - including food and fuel.

'The Kingdom has already donated bilaterally more than one and a half billion dollars to support relief, reconstruction, and the strengthening of the Lebanese economy and now is contributing to the multilateral relief efforts through WFP,' said Abdulaziz Arrukban, WFP's Special Ambassador for Saudi Arabia.

'This donation brings the total contributions by the Saudi Relief Committees to more than US$6 million this year alone, which testifies to the strong partnership that has evolved in the service of people in need wherever they maybe,' added Arrukban.

In addition to the Saudi donation, there are indications of food and relief assistance from the Gulf States, with contributions in kind and cash. To date, donors confirming donations to WFP's US$48 million emergency operation are Saudi Arabia (US$2 million) and Luxembourg (US$314,070).