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Beirut (Agencies)
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has warned that half of Lebanon’s population may not be able to meet their basic food needs before the end of the year.
While the provisional government announced that the death toll from the Beirut port explosion has risen to 190, while three remain missing.
The organization “ESCWA” indicated in a new study that this possibility has become possible after the massive explosion that destroyed much of the port of Beirut, the main entry point for goods to the country, the collapse of the value of its currency by 78 % and the closure measures taken to contain the “Covid-19” pandemic and the sharp increase in poverty and unemployment rates.
According to the study, which was issued under the title “Is there a threat to food security in Lebanon?”, The depreciation of the Lebanese pound has caused significant inflation, the annual average of which is expected to exceed 50% in 2020, after that was 2.9% in 2019.
In July 2020, the average price of food products increased by 141% compared to July 2019. Food prices are expected to rise slightly due to higher import transaction costs following the port explosion, and a lack of confidence in managing their security and availability, which can increase. Panic buying. The study warned of an increase in the cost of agricultural production by more than 50% for various agricultural systems, which will limit local agricultural production in the short term.
ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti called on the Lebanese government to prioritize rebuilding the grain silos in the port of Beirut, as they are essential for national food security, rehabilitating the central drug store and ensuring that the most vulnerable groups receive essential medicines and vaccines.
Given Lebanon’s heavy dependence on food imports to meet the needs of its population, Dashti highlighted the importance of strengthening local food systems and replacing some imported agricultural inputs with others that can be produced locally. Dashti urged the international community to prioritize food security programs targeting host communities and refugees to reduce the high levels of vulnerability within these two groups and mitigate potential social tensions. The interim government in Lebanon announced yesterday that the death toll from the Beirut port explosion has risen to 190, with more than 6,500 injured, while three remain missing. A report issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers stated that the explosion on August 4 displaced 300,000 people and caused direct damage of 15,000 million dollars. He added that 50,000 homes, 9 major hospitals and 178 schools were damaged.
