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Lebanon | Revised humanitarian response (May–December 2020)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 4p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Category High-profile

ISBN 978-92-5-133038-8

Edition 1

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cb0204en

Synopsis (short abstract) The onset of the economic crisis during the last quarter of 2019, exacerbated by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to an economic recession, compounding existing vulnerabilities and the already challenging situation the country is facing. The combined impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic freefall on people’s livelihoods is catastrophic, particularly for the most vulnerable among Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians, such as youth, daily workers, female-headed households, the elderly and people with specific needs. Movement restrictions, loss of income and price inflation have led to declining purchasing power, increasing the food insecurity of vulnerable populations. The agriculture sector, which has already been disproportionately affected by the current economic and financial crisis, is seriously impacted by an increase in the costs of imported agricultural inputs (including seeds, fertilizers and fodder), thus putting in peril the coming cropping seasons. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an additional burden on farmers as most organizations suspended their field interventions for almost three months during the lockdown and farmers are also not able to sell their produce due to mobility restrictions. COVID-19 is also exacerbating pre-existing structural issues in the agriculture sector. Poultry and dairy producers are facing increased input costs, thus reducing their profitability. This is also affecting consumers as the price of eggs and dairy products is increasing. In the framework of FAO’s Corporate COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme and the United Nations Global Humanitarian Response Plan for COVID-19, FAO has revised its humanitarian response for 2020 to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and address the needs of the most vulnerable households.

Last updated date 15/09/2020 See the full list of policy briefs related to COVID-19.

Cite this content as:

​FAO. 2020. Lebanon | Revised humanitarian response (May–December 2020): Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cb0204en

Language English

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