LEBANON - Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs said that funding currently available for the "Aman" social protection program is sufficient to maintain cash transfers to beneficiaries until the end of 2026, while warning that the program’s continued operation and expansion depend on securing additional financing.

In a statement clarifying the program’s financial situation, the ministry said an additional $200 million in financing from the World Bank has not yet entered into force, as it remains pending approval by Lebanon’s Parliament.

The ministry said it was providing the update “to ensure transparency and place public opinion before the financial reality” of the program.

$200 Million World Bank Financing Still Pending

The additional financing is intended to support the continuation and expansion of Lebanon’s social protection efforts. However, the ministry stressed that the funds cannot yet be considered available because the required parliamentary approval has not been completed.

The ministry called for the remaining financing procedures to be finalized as quickly as possible, saying they are necessary to ensure the program’s longer-term continuity.

While existing resources can cover transfers through the end of the year, the ministry warned that relying on current funding alone would not be sufficient to sustain or expand the program beyond that period.

What Is the "Aman" Program?

"Aman" is a Lebanese social protection program administered by the Ministry of Social Affairs that provides financial assistance to some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable households.

The program was established as part of Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen its social safety net amid the country’s prolonged economic and social crisis. Through cash assistance, Aman aims to help vulnerable families meet essential needs and cope with rising economic pressures.

Its beneficiaries include households facing severe poverty and vulnerability, making the program an important component of Lebanon’s broader social protection system.

Ministry Calls Continuity a National Priority

The Ministry of Social Affairs described the continuation of "Aman" as a “national priority,” emphasizing its role as a basic safety net for Lebanon’s poorest and most vulnerable families.

The ministry said the program’s importance has increased amid the country’s ongoing economic and social difficulties, underscoring the need to secure additional financing and complete the necessary approval processes.

For now, the ministry said, beneficiaries can expect transfers to continue through the end of 2026. Longer-term continuity, however, remains tied to the approval and implementation of the additional World Bank financing