Rochdi says U.N. fuel support for Lebanon has reached its end

On 31 March 2022, the World Food Program, working hand in hand with WHO, UNICEF, sector partners and OCHA, delivered the last drop of fuel as part of emergency fuel operations under the U.N. coordinated Emergency Response Plan for Lebanon (ERP), the office of U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Najat Rochdi said on Tuesday.

“The U.N. through WFP, in coordination with UNICEF, WHO, OCHA and NGOs, has been able to manage one of the largest fuel service provision operations in the world. This operation would not have been possible without the generous support of donors. I am extremely proud of the achievements made with this exceptional project and the strong collaboration witnessed despite the main challenges involved,” Rochdi declared.

Since September 2021 to 31 March 2022, WFP has delivered more than 10.4 million liters of fuel to 350 water facilities and 272 Health facilities across the country to fill critical fuel shortages and avoid critical life-saving services from collapsing. OCHA-managed Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) provided US$ 8.5 million to “timely and swiftly kick-start this one-off support at a time of need,” Rochdi’s office said in a statement.

This emergency fuel operation was to mitigate additional suffering caused by the severe electricity and fuel shortages which have been affecting Lebanon since August 2021, impeding the provision of essential services, including health care and water.

The Humanitarian Coordinator expressed her concerns about the continued impact of the energy crisis on basic services and people’s well-being. “I am appealing to the Lebanese government to find a sustainable solution to this issue, as the most vulnerable people, need some form of assistance and protection,” Rochdi stressed.

Launched in August 2021, the Emergency Response Plan has been only funded at 25 percent. “Urgent support is needed to sustain operations and scale-up critical humanitarian activities, in line with Lebanon Crisis Response Plan humanitarian interventions and UNRWA programs,” the statement said.