Help Lebanon
Lebanon is undergoing a severe stress as not only has its economy collapsed but a political turmoil too has taken its toll on the region. Even the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who visited the region on Sunday said that the international community has not done enough to support Lebanon, grappling with a dire economic crisis.
The economic collapse in Lebanon has been described as one of the worst in the world in over 150 years. Inflation and prices of basic goods have skyrocketed in Lebanon, which imports more than 80 per cent of its basic goods.
Shortages of basic supplies, including fuel and medicine, and restrictions on bank withdrawals and transfers, particularly in foreign currency, have increased the desperation of the Lebanese in the once middle-class country.
To cap it all the country has been witnessing a serious conflict among political parties with no party willing to concede to some demands made by the opponent party or group. Even the region has been missing on its election dates as no compromise could be arrived at between the political parties.
Politicians have disagreed on the date and details of holding the elections, expected next spring. A decision by the country’s constitutional council is expected to settle the dispute.
Notably, International donors, including traditional supporters of Lebanon, have extended humanitarian assistance to the country to deal with the crisis, but have declined to offer support to the government before a plan for reform is agreed upon.
Lebanese are facing a deteriorating economic crisis that began in late 2019 and is rooted in years of mismanagement and corruption. The crisis, including a serious collapse of the national currency and deepening poverty, has since only been compounded by the pandemic, bickering among rival political groups and a massive explosion at the port of Beirut in August 2020 that left over 216 people killed and thousands injured. It also destroyed major parts of the capital.
Lebanon’s population of 6 million includes over 1 million Syrian refugees. And the crisis can get worse if international help does not come soon and on time.
Lebanon’s crisis has been made worse by a political leadership deeply divided over key issues leading to a paralysis of the government and parliament. The divisions have delayed reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over a recovery plan.
Lebanon, ironically is home to over 1 million Syrian refugees. These refugees have been putting an additional burden on the regions limited resources and if help does not arrive on time the crisis could end up in a disaster.
This point was also raised by the UN Chief who pleaded for help from nations that could have done more to get the country out of this chaotic situation.
KV Network
