Lebanon is in the dark, immersed in a total blackout that according to official sources – reported by the news agency Reuters – it will still last days. The electricity grid was completely shut down after the two main plants in Al-Zahrani and Deir Ammar ran out of fuel and power generation fell below 200 megawatts. The two plants together provide about 40% of electricity, without them the whole country is forced to rely on private generators. But the UN estimates that 78% of the population lives in poverty and the power outage could worsen the humanitarian crisis that is rampant in the country with rising unemployment and a collapse of the currency.
Lebanon in the dark: no currency, power plants shut down
by Vincenzo Nigro
For months, in fact, the Lebanese have experienced a severe economic collapse aggravated by the lack of essential services such as electricity and fuel. Many companies have been forced to close due to the fuel crisis, many people have relied on the black market to refuel and mileage lines have filled gas stations, often unleashing clashes and violence. In August, at least 20 people were killed and 79 injured dfter that a fuel tank exploded in a warehouse in northern Lebanon, where it was illegally distributed. While the last prolonged blackout dates back to 20 September, when the power failure interrupted Parliament’s vote of confidence in the new government led by the premier Najib Maiqati.
After a year of provisional government, it will be up to the new executive to try to lift Lebanon out of one of the worst economic crises in the world according to the World Bank. The explosion at the port of Beirut that took place last year in the port of Beirut caused between 3.8 and 4.5 billion in damage because 90% of Lebanese imports took place through the port.
Lebanon has a new government after 13 months of stalemate
by Vincenzo Nigro
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