Is Lebanon the world’s next Venezuela?

COMMENT: The blast that shook Beirut has brought Lebanon to its knees. And the explosion could not have come at a worse time, as the country grapples with economic and social collapse, compounded by the COVID-19 crisis. Nadine Haddad, World Vision’s senior policy advisor on conflict and fragility, asks if this be the event that tips this proud nation over the edge?

Video above: Grandmother plays 'Auld Lang Syne' on the piano after the Beirut blast

While the immediate humanitarian implications of the Beirut blast are yet to be known, the impact will be felt for a long time. Here is what we know:

• More than 5000 injured and 135 deaths. As search and rescue teams continue to pull people out of the rubble, this number is, tragically, expected to grow
• Hundreds of fellow Lebanese are frantically looking for their loved ones and missing family members
• Memos are being out on social media to help families locate loved ones

Beirut hospitals are already struggling with capacity issues and acute shortages of medical supplies. We have heard reports of injured people being turned away, as medical teams triage and treat the seriously injured. It is most troubling that Word Vision fears many more children will lose their lives as they’re unable to receive the treatment they need.

A helicopter at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. Source: Getty

Neighbouring country Jordan, is sending a military field hospital, and other countries are offering support through the provision of funds and search and rescue teams. Thankfully, Australia has committed $2 million to fund trusted first-responders.

There are concerns about the impact of toxic air pollutants which may be extremely harmful to the health of families and children in the surrounding areas.

The impact is not only medical. It is estimated that some 300,000 people have lost their homes and will need shelter, food and water – especially considering 80 per cent of the country’s grain stocks are close to the site of the blast. Children are deeply affected, some traumatised, and will require immediate psychological first aid and ongoing psychosocial support.

The Perfect Storm: Economic collapse, a COVID spike and a massive explosion

This event comes at the worst possible time for Lebanon, a country going through an economic crisis which is fuelling social breakdown and emotional trauma. Unemployment has soared to 35 per cent in the formal sector, and up to 45 per cent in the informal sector. Inflation on basic services has rocketed by 109 per cent in less than a year, exposing many families to deep vulnerabilities.

Last Monday, a day before the explosion, the Lebanese Foreign Minister resigned, warning his country was on the brink of becoming a “Failed State”.

The economic collapse was exacerbated by COVID-19 and the lockdown, as economic activity and remittance of money from overseas have seen a sharp decline. Anecdotal reports spoke of those who were still able to receive money from relatives abroad, were unable to withdraw that money from ATMs or banks.

Last month, a WFP vulnerability assessment showed that one in five Lebanese families and 33 per cent of the displaced Syrian families living in Lebanon skipped meals or went without food for a whole day. Among those who will be the hardest hit are the 1.5 million Syrian refugees and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.

This latest disaster will only make things worse for those people. Not only has it decimated Beirut’s main port, but in the current economic crisis, vulnerable families in affected areas will have no means to rebuild their lives and homes, leaving thousands destitute and relying on aid.

Firefighters douse a blaze burning in the rubble caused by a massive explosion in Beirut. Source: ABACA

And to add insult to injury, Lebanon has seen a recurrence and spike in coronavirus cases, prompting the country to announce a second lockdown. So, Lebanon will not only grapple with overstretched hospitals treating injured people from the blast, it will also face the double burden of battling funding problems, power cuts and a serious lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).

It has been heart-warming to see many countries rush to the aid of Lebanon, but more long-term support is needed. Will the international community step in, or will Lebanon become the next Venezuela?

Nadine Haddad World Vision’s senior policy advisor on conflict and fragility