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3. Two-Thirds of Families Struggle to Access Quality Food

Save the Children conducted a survey of 4,099 Lebanese households, excluding those in the North and Akkar governorates. The findings reveal that 66% of families surveyed face serious difficulties accessing quality food. The situation is especially critical in the Baalbeck-Hermel region, where 11% of households were unable to obtain enough food to meet their daily needs.

Additionally, 33% of families are living in a state of food emergency, and 62% report a loss of income. Among heads of households affected by recent conflicts, over half have lost their jobs, and nearly 41% have lost their main source of income. These figures highlight a growing food insecurity crisis directly tied to the country’s severe economic challenges.

The primary barrier to accessing food is cost, identified by 64% of families as the main limiting factor. Only a small number of households have consistently sufficient financial resources, while more than half frequently experience income shortages.

This food crisis unfolds against a backdrop where the minimum wage falls short of covering essential living expenses. The World Food Programme estimates that a family of five needs at least $450 per month to cover basic needs, including food. However, Lebanon’s proposed minimum wage is estimated at just $312, leaving a monthly gap of $138 — not accounting for other essential costs such as housing, transportation and healthcare.