Tala Nassif - The Asfari Institute for Civil Society & Citizenship
Food security during conflict is a pressing issue, particularly for internally displaced person (IDP) communities. In this interview, Dr. Rami Zurayk, leading the ‘Development Movement’ initiative, highlights the importance of emergency food chains and food security systems in the current crisis.
A year-long response
“Our work began last October when Israeli attacks on South Lebanon forced people from their homes,” reflects Dr. Zurayk. He notes that food safety and security challenges have persisted over the past year, regardless of the recent escalation in violence.
In recent months, Dr. Zurayk has contributed to the establishment of an emergency food system that prioritizes healthy diets for those displaced in chronic crises. Collaborating with organizations such as UN Women, the World Food Programme, and Dr. Inaya Izzedine, the National Food System Convenor, the initiative focuses on food production by engaging displaced communities.
As the current escalation unfolded, the demand for food safety mechanisms surged. Initially, the needs included mattresses, pillows, blankets, hygiene kits, baby formula, and diapers. The initiative successfully provided thousands of these items to those in need.
“Out of the 1.2 million displaced, 200,000 are in shelters, while around 800,000 have been redistributed to homes and are now unreachable through the network of shelters,” Dr. Zurayk explains.
Restoring displaced links through food
Once emergency aid was delivered, the focus shifted to finding those who had not yet received help—such as individuals living in rented accommodations or staying with others. “It was initially challenging to trace their whereabouts, but we eventually established a village-based system to create a network for the displaced,” Dr. Zurayk elaborates.
The initiative also focuses on shelters, collaborating with public schools to reach approximately 3,000 people across Hamra, Clemenceau, Hammana, and Beit Chabeb.
Dr. Zurayk discusses the method of providing aid and relief, aiming to develop sustainable and autonomous ways for IDPs to secure their meals. “The effort of communal cooking is remarkable, but it has its drawbacks,” he notes. “In the long run, it risks infantilizing members of the IDP community, as they lose their autonomy over food and fall into a pattern of waiting for meals to arrive. Additionally, we cannot overlook the single-use plastic waste generated.”
Creating a self-sufficient food chain
To address this, Dr. Zurayk and his partners are working to fully equip kitchens in shelters, promoting long-term autonomy within the community. “These kitchens are funded entirely by donations, with the goal of being managed by the community itself,” he explains. This setup allows community members to decide what to cook. Food supplies come from three sources: WFP food rations containing basic commodities, purchases of fruits and vegetables from local farmers, and meat from local butchers.
The long-term vision is for those dispersed in the area to collect their food from central kitchens located in schools. The cooking training program emphasizes food safety, healthy diets, and skills for catering and food preparation for large groups.
Through this initiative, community members become active and empowered, gaining the skills needed for self-sufficiency and participation in a micro-economy. Furthermore, organic waste is composted and returned to farmers, contributing to a sustainable food chain.
The design of the kitchens is adaptable; while some schools prefer individual cooking stations for each family, others opt for communal setups. “So far, we have installed a prefabricated house in Beit Chabeb, which is currently being equipped to serve 500 meals a day,” Dr. Zurayk shares.
“Restoring people’s agency over their food choices gives them a sense of normality,” he adds. Sharing meals fosters community bonds. “The communal kitchens serve as an entry point for people to connect with others in the community.”
The long-term goal is to find a way for individuals to earn wages for work done in these centers, thereby contributing to financial autonomy, and to a built circular economy within communities for IDPs.
How you can support the initiative:
Donations can be made through OMT (Western Union), Wish Money, and MoneyGram using the name and phone number below:
A bank account will be soon opened for the organisation.