‘A taste of normal’: In Lebanon, school meals nourish and nurture in the wake of conflict

Names in this story have been changed to protect identities  

In January, driving along a crowded street in the suburbs of Beirut lined with buildings reduced to rubble, we were immediately drawn to a school building that was still standing – across Lebanon, people’s lives were upturned by the escalation in conflict in October that lasted till the 27 November ceasefire.  

In fact, the school, which reopened in December, was teeming with life after being shuttered for months – with the children learning from home. One fifth-grade boy, said: “There’s nothing like being with friends and seeing teachers in person.” His words carried the weight of the months he’d spent apart.

Another boy, Jad, told of his family and their neighbours losing their home during the escalation. He spoke of lost toys, the bicycle he’ll never ride again. He didn’t shed tears as he spoke, but the quiver in his voice told us everything. For many, war leaves scars that run far deeper than the physical.

Inside the school, there was a sense of relief and perhaps caution.

Walking through bustling hallways filled with the sound of children's reasoning with each other, girls and boys talking and laughing at break time, we witnessed a sense of normal. We hoped that meeting friends, hearing the sound of bells, and eating school snacks would signal a return to comfort after a painful disruption.

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“The war didn’t just disrupt their education,” said the school’s Head, Suzanne. “It shattered their sense of security. Children need psychological support. They need space to heal, yet they show up every morning. They carry the weight of their experiences but are determined to learn.” 

She added that being in the classroom would gradually restore a sense of stability, and described how even a simple, nutritious school snack provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) has become a vital part of this new chapter. “It’s more than just food,” she said. “It acts as a symbol of returning to a daily school routine and reintroduces the importance of healthy habits.”

WFP’s school meals programme, supported by generous donors, aims to reach 130,000 schoolchildren across Lebanon during the current academic year. Across 12 schools in Lebanon, WFP refurbished existing school kitchens run by volunteers who prepare meals for the learners. So far, eight school kitchens have been reactivated following the conflict.

During those months, Suzanne would receive concerned voice notes from her staff. After check-up visits to their workplace, she “shared photos of the school being unharmed” to assure them. “They couldn’t wait to come back,” she said, adding: “We must all stand for the importance of education in rebuilding our children’s lives.”

School meals and snacks provide much-needed nutrition, while fostering “a sense of fairness” among the children.  

“There used to be a shop that sold snacks here,” said Suzanne. “What you could buy depended entirely on how much money your parents could give you. This is why WFP’s school feeding programme is so valuable ... they all receive the same nutritious snack.”

For years, people in Lebanon faced crisis after crisis, each one reshaping daily life in ways big and small. Like many other institutions, schools struggled to stay open and offer a sense of structure. Yet teachers keep showing up, students keep finding solace in learning, and families do what they can to keep going.

The ultimate aim of WFP School Feeding interventions is to hand over school feeding fully to governments, something WFP’s accomplished in around 50 countries. Find out more about WFP school meals.