Ashraf AboArafe
In 2024, Germany provided around EUR 113 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon (including EUR 81.3 million to the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).
Foreign Minister Baerbock announced the provision of EUR 62 million of this total on the sidelines of the 2024 High-Level Week of the General Assembly in New York as a rapid response to the escalation of fighting. In order to respond quickly to the increasing needs in a short time, Germany has provided EUR 5 million to the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (OCHA) as part of the emergency plan even before the current escalation. In addition, ongoing projects for food aid, protection and assistance measures for displaced persons and refugees in Lebanon have been increased. UNHCR funding has been increased by EUR 20 million to EUR 30.6 million and WFP funding by EUR 20 million to EUR 50.7 million. Recently, EUR 10 million has been allocated to Lebanon through the Central Emergency Response Fund, to which Germany is one of the largest donors.
In order to respond to the increasing needs in the medical sector, the Federal Foreign Office has supported the Lebanese Red Cross through the German Red Cross with a total amount of 2.2 million to strengthen relief and emergency services and blood transfusion services. The relevant German ministries are currently reviewing the lists of medical aid requested by Lebanon and the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. More than 2 million euros and other aid have been provided to Malteser International (MI) and the Sovereign Order of Malta to operate four mobile clinics. These mobile clinics are intended for the escalating events in southern Lebanon and the increasing needs of the displaced. It is worth noting that in addition to these humanitarian activities, Germany is financing projects in Lebanon through aid channels aimed at achieving stability and transitional development. In light of our policy in the field of humanitarian diplomacy, we seek the full implementation of international humanitarian law on all parties to the conflict.
