Pillar 1: Empowering Communities: Comprehensive Support for Conflict-Affected Populations in South Lebanon ltpgtFor years, Lebanon has suffered from economic crises and civil unrest which have devastated the population’s livelihood and wellbeing. Since October 2023, the country’s El-Nabatieh and Southern regions have also been subjected to an armed conflict, forcing some families to flee the conflict-affected areas. As of May 2024, a total of 93,040 displaced individuals, 51% female and 49% male, were reported (IOM, 2024 OCHA, 2024). Of those internally displaced (IDPs), 1,577 were found to reside in 18 collective shelters within the Southern and the Bekaa regions. Recent figures also estimate that 32% of IDPs are children under the age of 18 and 36 percent are female adults (IOM, 2024). In addition to displacement, the conflict in El-Nabatieh and the South has severely impacted the livelihood and agricultural activities of the region's residents. According to FAO’s DIEM-impact report, 519 ha of land was affected by fires between October and November 2023 and 23 percent of surveyed households reported losing their agricultural harvests (FAO, 2024). Moreover, 35 percent of the affected agricultural households reported facing challenges in accessing good and basic commodities. These findings are in line with World Vision Lebanon’s (WVLs) assessment, which was conducted in October 2023. During the early stages of the conflict, shelter, food, and water were stated as the top three most critical problems faced by households in the conflict-affected areas.  ltbrgt ltbrgtSince these assessments were conducted, the conflict in the South has escalated increasing the number of displaced individuals and agricultural losses.  This project aims to build on WVL’s existing work in the South to tackle the multi-sectoral needs arising from the conflict in South Lebanon under Pillar 1 of the LHF first standard allocation 2024.   ltbrgt ltbrgtIn collaboration with local partners, WVL will provide comprehensive service packages to families of IDPs and residents in conflict areas to address their multi-sectoral needs, including food security and basic assistance. To help alleviate barriers to meeting basic needs, WVL will offer emergency cash assistance to eligible individuals and households. Additionally, WVL will work with “Ajdadouna” and “Mujtamaa Afdal” in the hard-to-reach towns of Rmeish and Suwene to provide in-kind food assistance and emergency cash assistance for food needs. Farmers in Bint Jbeil who have had their agricultural livelihoods affected will also receive cash-based assistance to promote food security. WVL will partner with Nusaned to provide food assistance to both IDPs and non-IDPs and offer cash-for-work opportunities for IDP women in community kitchens in Bint Jbeil. As part of these comprehensive packages, WVL will also provide WASH, shelter, and child protection to ensure that eligible households and individuals have their multi-sectoral needs met. ltbrgt ltbrgtThe project prioritizes localization, aiming to strengthen local capacities and resources, ensuring that Accountability to Affected Populations and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion are integrated in the community and into our partners, policies and practices through customized development plans. The interventions and prioritized areas mentioned above were selected based on coordination, service mapping, and validation by the different sectors. Within the Southern regions in Lebanon, WFP and WVL have been the primary actors in delivering food security interventions along the border areas of the country since the beginning of the conflict. DRC, Save the Children, and ISF have also started working on the provision of food parcels to households in the South and El-Nabatieh regions. However, duplication of services will be avoided through collaboration with the actors and sector.  lt/pgt