The damage caused by the explosion of August 4th 2020 aggravated the economic crisis in Lebanon, turning it into a humanitarian crisis. One million people are in a condition of food insecurity
picture © Parazar
Since the end of 2019, Lebanon has been facing one of the most serious economic crises of the modern era. Since 2020, it has faced five crises at the same time: the economic collapse, the Syrian crisis, the political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosion of the port of Beirut on August 4th 2020, which seriously aggravated the situation. “If even in normal conditions the explosion of the port would have caused massive damage from which it would have been complex to recover – explains Riccardo Mioli, head of mission of INTERSOS in Lebanon – the combination of these crises makes the situation very serious for the entire population and even more for vulnerable people, both Lebanese and refugees”.
The data collected by INTERSOS in this last year identifies the lack of food and money for rent as the two most pressing emergencies in the country. According to the World Bank, the explosion caused between 3.8 and 4.5 billion in damage. 90% of Lebanese imports took place through the port of Beirut: the destruction of most of the country’s reserves has meant that today 1 million people live in a condition of food insecurity. 77% of Lebanese families say they do not have enough food, but the gravity of the situation is clear from the data of Syrian families: 99% do not have regular access to food. In 30% of families, a child missed a meal.
One million people have no access to health care
Before the explosion and the pandemic, it was mainly the refugee population that was in conditions of extreme poverty and food insecurity, now it is half the Lebanese population that is impoverished and almost all of the refugee population. INTERSOS also found that people have great difficulty accessing the health system, a worrying fact given the pandemic underway. About 1 million people are in need of health care, only 15% of the population has received two doses of the vaccine against COVID-19.
Three of the four public services most affected by the crisis are closely linked to deteriorating health conditions: electricity, clean water supply, sanitation and the school system. 70% of natural water resources are contaminated, up to 90% in urban centers, 64% of the population does not have safe access to drinking water.
At the forefront of reconstruction
To respond to the new needs that are emerging, INTERSOS has reorganised and extended its programmes in the country, starting with assistance to people affected by the Beirut explosion. With the support of the European Union and of Stichting Vluchteling, our intervention focused on the reconstruction of damaged houses and on psychosocial and legal support for people in marginal or vulnerable conditions. In one year, 996 houses were renovated and over 1,000 families helped, including several elderly people, whose mental health had deteriorated due to the precariousness of housing conditions.
Particular attention was paid to the risks associated with the increase in gender-based violence. The serious humanitarian situation in Lebanon has exacerbated the gender inequalities already present in the country, increasing the dangers faced by women and girls. Following the explosion, tens of thousands of homes were destroyed, causing damage not only to infrastructures, but also linked to safety conditions, to the increased risk of gender-based violence and the impact on mental health. Aspect on which INTERSOS intervenes through psychological support aimed at people at risk or survivors of gender-based violence, reproductive health interventions and activities to raise awareness and prevention of gender-based violence.