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The UK Embassy in Lebanon distributed the text of an article by the British Minister for Middle East Affairs James Cleverley, which read:
“At the end of July, I went to Lebanon on a virtual video tour. I was surprised by the tremendous capabilities of the Lebanese people, but who had another impression about the magnitude of serious reforms that Lebanon needs. It was only a few days until I saw with horror the great explosion that shook the port of Beirut “. And it resulted in the death and injury of large numbers of people, not to mention the destruction of vital infrastructure and homes. The destroyed port has now become a sad reminder of the importance of taking any warning seriously as soon as we receive it, and a symbol of the consequences of mismanagement and corruption.
We must always prevent disasters. However, that is sometimes beyond our ability. We cannot, for example, control the weather and stop a hurricane, earthquake or tsunami. But we can invest in early warning systems, develop plans to protect citizens, property and investments, ensure capabilities are in place, and take action as soon as we receive the warnings.
Lebanon now faces a growing threat to its citizens. This risk is the direct result of a flawed economic model. As with the explosion at the port, this is a man-made problem that could have been prevented. This danger was generally silent, but now it grows by the day. Emergencies are imminent in education, healthcare and also in the electricity sector. But the most immediate danger is that of food security: Lebanon is on the verge of not being able to feed itself.
There are many worrying indicators in Lebanon. The food security crisis does not unfold in its form until it reaches its worst stage, and there are many unfortunate consequences. For this reason, this type of crisis is described as a silent tsunami. Lebanon is a country prone to a food security crisis because it imports large amounts of food, importing 85% of its national wheat consumption. To all this is added a continuous increase in the prices of basic products, which in July of this year reached a rate of increase of 141% in the prices of food products compared to the same period of the previous year.
As for those living on the fringes of society in Lebanon, including but not limited to Syrian refugees, they have faced a terrifying decline in their ability to endure the hardships of life. The majority of Syrian refugees now live in extreme poverty and cannot afford the proper food they need. This is also the case among the Lebanese, where we see some selling their possessions to buy food for their children, and we see long lines to buy bread. Eliminating government subsidies would only make the situation worse. The United Nations had forecast in late August that more than 50% of the Lebanese population may not be able to obtain basic food by the end of this year 2020.
Lebanon needs real reforms and development support, but, as experience shows, reforms take time. Moving forward is not easy, especially in light of the overwhelming global challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Time is not on our side. It is imperative here that a humanitarian operation acts as a bridge to these solutions to alleviate suffering and curb the worst effects of this crisis here. The UK will continue to support those most in need. But the need for urgent action by the Lebanese government to protect the population is vital.
Here, I reiterate my call to the leaders of Lebanon to do what is necessary and achieve the necessary reforms, and put Lebanon on a path that leads to a sustainable, transparent, accountable and inclusive future. Planning a crisis is not just a technical exercise, it is ultimately a political option. You must create an action plan and be prepared to implement it for the benefit of those most in need. And here is the international community and its people are watching.
The people of Lebanon and all others who call Lebanon their home have the right to live a better life. The alternative will have dire consequences. The United Kingdom will continue to be a strong partner of the people of Lebanon. But the leaders of Lebanon must act now. “
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