As part of the AAP (Programmed Food Aid) project, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Henry Simonin, humanitarian advisor at the French Embassy in Lebanon. This visit was an opportunity to showcase our initiatives in the Zgharta region (North Lebanon), with a focus on our agro-humanitarian center in Mejdlaya, our socio-medical center in Khaldieh, and our mobile community kitchen.
Launched in September 2024, the AAP project takes a holistic approach in addressing the causes and consequences of malnutrition and food insecurity in Lebanon. It also aims to strengthen the resilience of affected communities in the face of future crises, targeting a broad segment of the population, with more than 15,420 direct beneficiaries and 19,240 indirect beneficiaries.
This initiative extends across Lebanon, with particular emphasis on the regions most affected by the crisis, including the North, the Bekaa, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the South. It is structured around three key areas of intervention:
- Food assistance: Providing hot meals, breakfasts, and snacks through OML’s three Mobile Community Kitchens (The Sharing Wheel), serving schools and disadvantaged areas in the North, South, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the Bekaa. These efforts target vulnerable populations and include school meal distributions in public and semi-private schools.
- Combating malnutrition: Nutrition awareness sessions will be conducted through OML’s network, alongside the distribution of nutrition kits and specialized packages. This initiative will also include screening services and medical and nutritional follow-ups for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as for children aged 1,000 days and older.
- Support for local agriculture: The project also focuses on assisting small-scale farmers in the most affected communities by providing agroecological kits, regular technical support, and training sessions. Additionally, five municipalities will receive support in watershed management through agroforestry initiatives, contributing to environmental protection and long-term food security.
