Coronavirus and Economic Collapse Are Pushing Lebanon to the Brink

Synopsis

In Lebanon, after weeks of a government-imposed COVID-19 shutdown, hundreds of young Lebanese protest against economic hardships, particularly in Tripoli, a city facing high unemployment. The protests escalate as demonstrators hurl Molotov cocktails at banks, leading to a brutal crackdown by the army, resulting in one protester’s death. Lebanon, already in a financial crisis, is now the third most indebted country globally. The October Revolution saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets, and the pandemic exacerbates the situation. The World Bank predicts that 45% of the population will fall below the poverty line, but the Lebanese government estimates this could rise to 75%. A viral video shows a man and a pregnant woman scavenging for food in Beirut, highlighting the dire conditions. In response, a soup kitchen in Tripoli, opened during the October uprising, now serves around 300 families as food prices soar.