UN body delivers Saudi aid to 300,000 Lebanese citizens
Aid part of food security project undertaken by King Salman Humanitarian Aid, Relief Center in Lebanon
BEIRUT
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on Thursday began delivering humanitarian aid provided by Saudi Arabia as part of a project to support food security, benefiting more than 300,000 Lebanese citizens.
In a statement, the UN commission said: “This aid is a contribution from the Saudi Embassy to the initiative of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center for a project to support food security, which targets more than 300,000 people in need in Lebanon.”
ESCWA said the aid will be distributed among various social groups in Lebanon.
On April 26, Saudi Arabia and France announced a joint development fund for Lebanon and pledged to provide about $76 million for food security and the health sector in the country, according to a statement issued by the French Embassy.
Since late 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with severe domestic challenges including a currency devaluation against the US dollar, along with fuel and medicine shortages.
* Ikram Imane Kouachi in Ankara contributed to this report
