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As global food and fuel crisis deepens, Lebanon’s crisis is affecting ‘everyone, everywhere’ |


Since last year, the number of people needing urgent assistance has increased by 46%UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UN Residency said

ent Humanitarian Coordinator and Coordinator for Lebanon, speaking in Geneva.

2.2 million people are vulnerable – and growing

Lebanon’s crisis is affecting everyone, everywhere across the country, to the women who have suffered the profound impact of this multi-layered crisis… 2.2 million vulnerable Lebanese, 86,000 migrants and 200,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are in urgent need of aid; beyond the 1.5 million Syrian refugees who cannot afford or even cannot access health, food, electricity, water, education and wastewater management, not to mention life-saving protective services.” .

Since 2019, Lebanon has suffered from a complex economic and financial crisis – exacerbated by political stalemate – that has offset its development achievements and increased humanitarian needs for the most vulnerable groups. most vulnerable populations in severely deprived areas.

The already difficult situation became even worse when COVID-19 pandemic, the explosion in the port of Beirut in August 2020 and now the global food and fuel crisis.

According to World Bank estimates, the country’s economy is expected to contract by more than 6% this year, after shrinking 10.5% and 21.4% in 2021 and 2020, respectively.


A shopping mall in Beirut, Lebanon.

© The World Bank / Dominic Chavez

A shopping mall in Beirut, Lebanon.

Impact of the war in Ukraine

When asked specifically about global food and fuel insecurity in Lebanon, which has struggled with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ms. Rochdi told journalists that country “without exception”, after fuel prices skyrocketed, food insecurity became bigger and harder to import.

Even hospitals are affected, facing the situation “severe shortage of medical supplies and electricity shortageat a time when more than 40% of Lebanon’s doctors and 30% of nurses have left the country since the beginning of the economic crisis,” she added.

Youth hope disappears into smoke

She notes that the unemployment rate – and especially the rising youth unemployment rate (47.8% among 15- to 24-year-olds) – has forced many of the youngest and brightest job seekers most of the country had to leave Lebanon. almost a third of the population is out of work now, compared to 11.4% before COVID-19.

For those who are working, their minimum monthly salary is under $25, Ms. Rochdi continued.

Women are also facing a alarming increase in sexual exploitationinversely proportional to the country’s “recession”, the UN official said, pointing to widespread reports of women and children “feeling unsafe in public spaces, such as streets, markets or when using public transport”.

To help meet these and many other challenges, Ms. Rochdi issued a revised $546 million humanitarian appeal to more than a million Lebanese, refugees and migrants.

Positive action

Highlighting how the UN and its partners have acted to help, she noted that Emergency fuel supplies have been distributed to more than 600 medical facilities and water pumping stations “To ensure the delivery of lifesaving services to the most vulnerable populations affected by this ongoing energy crisis and to maintain the provision of basic services throughout Lebanon.”



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