Food security: food shortage alert
Lebanon
(3 February 20219 The Lebanese Union of Food Importers claims that the food supply of the country's population is threatened due to the severe economic crisis and the strict restrictions imposed as a result of covid-19.
«Together, these factors will lead to a decrease in food reserves by about half, or more, » said the Lebanese news agency NNA on 1 February 2021, quoting a press release issued by the association.
80 percent come from abroad
Lebanon produces practically no food itself and is heavily dependent on imports. According to the association, the small country located on the Mediterranean coast covers 80 percent of its demand for agricultural products with goods from abroad.
An additional problem is the lack of foreign currency to finance imports. During the current serious economic crisis, the Lebanese Pound has lost about 80 percent of its value on the black market and, as a strong currency, the US Dollar is much sought after as it is scarce.
A dreaded rush after lockdown
Due to the high number of covid-19 infections, the government of Beirut decided two weeks ago to impose a 24-hour curfew, which is still in effect.
As supermarkets are also closed, the Union of Food Importers fears a food rush as soon as restrictions are eased. In order to maintain the food supply to people in crisis, the union is calling for an emergency plan.
Prices have skyrocketed
Due to the massive house arrest related to the pandemic, as well as the deplorable economic situation, new demonstrations took place in the port city of Tripoli last night [2nd February]. During the demonstrations, which have been going on for several days, violent clashes with the security forces sometimes erupted. Dozens of people were injured and one man died.
The economic and financial crisis, the
covid-19 pandemic and the devastating explosion in Beirut in August hit the Cedar State hard. Prices skyrocketed and food inflation reached 200 percent. More than half of the six million people in the country are now living in poverty, and the middle class is experiencing a catastrophic collapse.
Source: www.schweizerbauer.ch, 3/2/2021
(Translation «Swiss Standpoint»)