A UN-led emergency operation to supply health and water facilities in Lebanon with fuel has ended after six months, with the Lebanese government urged to find a long-lasting solution to the country’s devastating energy crisis.
Additional severe fuel and electricity shortages struck import-dependent Lebanon last summer, with the UN warning that critical services would be impeded and additional hardships placed on a population facing a raft of problems.
The UN-led operation, initially intended to last for three months but later extended, was launched in September in a bid to stop vital services from collapsing.
The World Food Programme, in co-ordination with other UN agencies and NGOs, delivered more than 10.4 million litres of fuel to 350 water facilities and 272 health facilities throughout Lebanon.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Co-ordinator Najat Rochdi described it as “one of the largest fuel service provision operations in the world”.
She underlined her concern over basic services and people's welfare amid the energy crisis.
“I am appealing to the Lebanese government to find a sustainable solution to this issue, as the most vulnerable people need some form of assistance and protection,” she said.
In September, the fuel deliveries were described by the UN as “exceptional emergency support for a maximum duration of three months”.
Back then, Ms Rochdi called on the government to “save no effort” in finding sustainable solutions to the energy crisis and to “protect the rights of families in Lebanon to access essential services”.
Hospitals among those affected
Power cuts are a regular occurrence in Lebanon, with the embattled state-run power grid able to provide electricity for only a few hours a day at best. Many users, including hospitals, are forced to turn to private generators.
The fuel provisions were part of a wider emergency plan launched last year in response to various severe problems facing Lebanon, including an economic meltdown, Covid-19 and the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
Ms Rochdi’s office said the $383 million plan was only 25 per cent funded. “Urgent support is needed to sustain operations and scale-up critical humanitarian activities,” her office said.
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
More coverage from the Future Forum
