(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (KUNA) -- The US, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing over USD 72 million 'in emergency food assistance to more than 650,000 vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees from Syria and other countries,' the agency announced Wednesday.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the funding during a visit to Lebanon, where she met with 'local farmers and food aid recipients who have been impacted by the growing food security crisis,' the USAID said in a statement.
It added that this funding, through the United Nations World Food Program, will provide 'household food parcels'. for Lebanese families and electronic food vouchers for Syrian refugees to use in local shops, which supports the Lebanese economy.'
It stressed that 'the implications of the Russian invasion against Ukraine on food and fuel prices in Lebanon continue to drive more people into food insecurity and exacerbate the effects of Lebanonآ's economic crisis.'
Todayآ's announcement is part of the USD two billion in USAID humanitarian assistance announced by President Joe Biden in September to address global food security impacts.
In a separate statement, the USAID said that today in West Beqaa, Lebanon, Administrator Power also announced USD 8.5 million in funding for Lebanon that will support 22 new 'solar-powered water pumping projects' in Lebanon.
It indicated that these projects, which will be completed over the next two years, 'will serve more than 150 towns and villages and benefit over half a million Lebanese citizens and refugees by providing reliable access to water and decreasing operating costs and dependence on fuel to those who desperately need it.' (end)
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