UN aid appeal for Lebanon rises to nearly $640 million

The previous request issued in March sought $308 million through May. Officials said an additional $331 million is now required after only $185 million of the initial amount was received.

Humanitarian needs The revised appeal aims to assist 1.4 million people, roughly one-quarter of Lebanon's population. Between March and May the earlier funding reached about 680,000 people. Officials reported that nearly one million people have left their homes and more than 1.2 million face acute food insecurity.

The cost of water, fuel, and electricity has risen more than one-third nationally and up to 70 percent in conflict-affected areas. Sixty-two hospitals and health facilities are damaged or closed, and nearly 450 schools are being used as shelters, increasing risks of learning loss.

"The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon is severe and deteriorating," the agency stated, adding that repeated displacements and limited shelter capacity are deepening vulnerability.