BEIRUT, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Nearly one in four people in Lebanon are expected to face acute food insecurity between April and August, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The report found that around 1.24 million people are projected to experience "crisis-level" food insecurity or worse during the period.

"Families who were just managing to cope are now being pushed back into crisis as conflict, displacement, and rising costs collide, making food increasingly unaffordable," said Allison Oman Lawi, WFP representative and country director in Lebanon.

FAO Representative in Lebanon Nora Ourabah Haddad said the findings showed growing vulnerability in rural communities and agricultural systems.

"This confirms continued and deepening fragility in rural and agrifood systems. Compounded shocks are undermining agricultural livelihoods and impacting food security, highlighting the urgent need for emergency agricultural assistance to support farmers and prevent further deterioration," she said.

Lebanese Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani said the situation placed national food security under severe pressure.

"Safeguarding food security in Lebanon is a shared national and international responsibility, and investment in agriculture remains essential to ensuring stability and strengthening communities' resilience to recurring crises," he said. ■