Exploring Food Assistance Programmes: Evidence for Lebanon

The purpose of this study is to analyse how markets in Lebanon have responded to the increased demand from the Syrian refugees. More specifically, the study focuses on the micro-level impacts of market-based food assistance on the market supply chains and market performance. It explores the pros and cons of alternative food assistance transfer modalities. Finally, this report is intended to in-form the new country programming strategy in line with the recommendations of the recent ODI ex-ternal evaluation (WFP-ODI, 2015) which called for more market analysis to inform program design and implementation.

The market assessment underlying the findings presented in this report was conducted in March and April 2015. Market analysts from WFP Headquarters, with support from the WFP offices and partners in Lebanon, consulted key informants and stakeholders, including relevant local authorities and vari-ous market actors including traders. A trader survey was deployed to collect information on food avail-ability and market environment, structure, conduct and overall performance. The survey covered 1347 shops and traders including 306 WFP-contracted shops and 1041 non-contracted shops. The study was complemented with a detailed literature review.