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The conversation about the lifting of subsidies to flour (flour) has returned the protests to the streets of Lebanon in the face of the severe economic and life crisis they are going through.
After the dissemination of information about the government’s intention to lift the subsidy for flour used for bread other than Arabic (which is used in Lebanon as the main bread), some activists gathered in downtown Beirut, specifically on what is known as the “Ring” bridge.
Some videos showed meetings of dozens of activists who were launching slogans rejecting the decisions of the Lebanese government.
The “National Advertising Agency” reported that the “Ring” bridge was cut down by protesters with barriers and burning tires.
Ali Erbrahim, head of the Syndicate of Millers and Bakers of Lebanon, confirmed during previous statements that “the mills did not deliver the flour without backing to the bakeries because they intended to sell it for dollars, following the decision of the Minister of Economy, Raoul Nehme , of subsidizing only Lebanese bread flour. “
He said: “Unsupported flour is used in the production of cakes, manakish, hamburger buns, etc., and all these products will be in dollars and the poor will not be able to buy the mankousha.” Monday’s meeting regarding Grace’s support and decision may change based on the decisions of this meeting.
Two United Nations agencies said Monday that withdrawing aid in Lebanon without guarantees to protect the most vulnerable would amount to social catastrophe, warning that there was no way to mitigate the blow.
At a time when Lebanon is suffering the brunt of a deep financial crisis, the Lebanese Central Bank supports commodities by providing hard currency to importers at the previous exchange rate of 1,500 Lebanese pounds to the dollar, even after the pound lose 80% of its value.
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said last week that the support could last for just another two months, and asked the state to come up with a plan.
Although Lebanon faces the gravest crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, longstanding rivalries between rival politicians have hampered policymaking. Saad Hariri was elected to form a new government in October, but no agreement on a government has yet been reached.
“The impact of eliminating price subsidies on the country’s most vulnerable families will be enormous, but there is almost nothing to help mitigate the impact,” wrote Yuki Mokuo, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). in Lebanon and Ruba Jaradat, Regional Director of the International Labor Organization, in an opinion piece.
“It is very important to realize that Lebanon now crossing another slope, without first putting in place a comprehensive system of social guarantees, will cause a social catastrophe for the most vulnerable in the country and destroy their well-being and that of the country as a whole for many years to come, “they added.
The comprehensive way in which Lebanon supports commodities such as fuel, wheat, and medicines, has been widely criticized, even by high-ranking politicians from the ruling parties, as it does not target those most in need of these commodities. .
Mokuo and Jaradat write in the op-ed that a rough analysis shows that up to 80% of subsidies benefit the richest half of the population, and only 20% go to the poorest half.
The interim government will meet today with Salameh to discuss the issue of subsidies.
The World Bank said poverty is likely to continue to worsen, affecting more than half of the population by 2021.
