Lebanon has been experiencing multiple crises, all at once, including in its energy sector. As a consequence, the misery of the people of this tiny Mediterranean county just reached new, yet sadly expected, dark levels. Related to this, Bambi would like to start this short post by thanking her friends in Ontario and Québec for reaching out concerned about her family in Lebanon. Thank you/Merci!
First, you can watch if you wish, a France24 news documentary on the blackout.
Below this video, you can see (and it is heart-breaking for Bambi) another Wion short news documentary on the financial crisis related to the crash of the banking sector.
Hyperinflation in Lebanon has reached exponential levels. Just to give you a concrete example, in Beirut today, a whole chicken (of a rather small-to-medium size) now costs the equivalent of Canadian $125. Can you imagine?! As the currency lost over 90% of its value, MOST of the population cannot afford neither meat nor chicken for a long time now… including the country’s own army!
As the journalist explained, no electricity means no water or access to water… and likely no internet/access to the internet as well.
The blackout is expected to last for a few days (2-3, they seem to say, if the fuel from Iraq arrives on time and its inspection shows its good quality , etc). Bambi’s heart is with Lebanon and its people whomever they are, wherever they are… of course, starting with her own family and her loved ones (relatives and childhood friends). Bon courage! Be SAFE!
To conclude, also as the journalist explained, Lebanon is now in intense negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). BEST wishes!!
I am sad to hear this is happening in Lebanon
MANY thanks, Tammy ❤️!
Just to reassure you, they seem to have found a “band-aid” solution for the total blackout… so back to the VERY limited power they had before (thankfully, the total blackout averted… at least for now). Bambi understood the above from her dad yesterday morning and the Canadian media reported it very fast almost in the same day.
This is Bambi’s understanding: The government is broke, as we know. Shipments of fuel across from the shores cannot unload without ensuring to be paid, of course (to open credit paperwork, etc.). They have been there for a while now… but no funds. It seems that the Central bank there managed to unlock some money AND, thanks to the Army too. The latter had extra fuel for safety reasons (reserves, etc.). They offered them to the population. Also, the government is bringing the power for one hour every 12 hours to try to keep peoples’ fridges and freezers functional. This is reasonable, it seems. Sadly, despite this, many end up sometimes losing food that is SO expensive to get :(. One must be careful with food poisoning too. At least, the government is trying let’s say… Imagine, those who have to keep insulin refrigerated or other medication, etc. Bambi also hears about more and more private or NGOs initiatives for solar energy (ex. for the streets), but this may not be enough or perhaps not the priority… even if it would be for safety and for the mental well-being of citizens in the darkness in their own places.
Lebanon has now a new government for 2 weeks. So, let’s hope they deliver as promised, etc. In Bambi’s mind, having a government is better than no government for sure…so let’s see what they can do or from where to start. It is everyone’s hope that the elections will take place, as planned (sometime in the spring?). Bambi does not know those in governance. Some are older ones (recycled… the official Lebanon is good at that, but only/mainly when it comes to politicians). Bambi only knows [not personally but from the media :)] one of them. He is a physician, called Dr. Fouad Abiad (Abiad means LeBlanc in Arabic). Anyhow, he was the Head of the Rafic Hariri Public Hospital, which treated Covid-19 patients in the most outstanding way (especially with lack of funds!). He seems to have tweeted over 4000 educational messages to the population during the pandemic (just one of the crises there). He is now part of the government as Minister of Health. He replaces another competent Minister. So, talent exists in this tiny country for sure. Sadly, it has to find its way in a sectarianism system… and among all the complicated politics.
Best to Lebanon!