Increasingly families are forced to rely on such food packages for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk
Increasingly families are forced to rely on such food packages for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk
Increasingly families are forced to rely on such food packages for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk
Increasingly families are forced to rely on such food packages for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk

MENA

Lebanon

Lebanese families forced to rely on food parcels to get through Ramadan

Aid allows parents to buy essentials including medicine and fuel

Jamie Prentis
Jamie Prentis
Bchamoun

April 21, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Even during the conflict and Israeli attacks that hit Lebanon in 1982, Umm Maryam said she could still find basic necessities, such as medicine.

But so severe is Lebanon’s current economic meltdown and other crises that the mother of one and stepmother of five is forced to rely on charity this Ramadan.

“Even with the war, it was never like today. We used to eat well and live a good life,” said Umm Maryam, who is originally from Lebanon’s Bekaa region.

READ MORE

Protesters in Lebanon reject capital control law that would 'legalise stealing'

“It’s not similar to now. There’s no war, but there’s an economic war. We used to get anything we wanted, we would find it in the market.

“In the war, I was there — in the south and Bekka — and it didn’t feel like today.”

Umm Maryam has come to a school in Bchamoun, a short drive from Beirut in the Mount Lebanon governorate, where the roads begin to climb upwards into the hills and away from the capital.

She is there to pick up food parcels to get her family through Ramadan via aid packages co-ordinated by the US-headquartered NGO Anera and local partner the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects.

Increasingly families are forced to rely on food packages for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Covid-19, the Beirut port blast in 2020 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have only exacerbated Lebanon’s financial collapse, which began in 2019 and has seen inflation skyrocket and shortages of basic necessities.

Covid-19, the Beirut port blast in 2020 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated Lebanon’s financial collapse. Photo: Anera / Hisham Mahtouk
Covid-19, the Beirut port blast in 2020 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have exacerbated Lebanon’s financial collapse. Photo: Anera / Hisham Mahtouk

Umm Al Baydaa, a 42-year-old from Bchamoun and mother of four, is in need of the support offered by groups such as Anera because of the situation in Lebanon. Before the economic crisis, she says “our lifestyle was different”. But now, financially stretched, only the bare essentials are being bought.

“It’s very important that they are giving this [support]. When they give this, we are able to buy other things like medicines,” she said.

Wael Dabbous of AICP has seen the number of families in need of support soar in recent years. Whereas more than two years ago, before the currency dropped and the dollar equivalent value of salaries plummeted, there may have been less than 10 families seeking help, but now it’s “thousands”.

Wheat shortages affect Lebanon's bakeries - in pictures

A baker holds up a seeded white loaf of bread at a bakery in Beirut, Lebanon, which faces a food crisis because of war in Europe. All photos: Bloomberg
A baker holds up a seeded white loaf of bread at a bakery in Beirut, Lebanon, which faces a food crisis because of war in Europe. All photos: Bloomberg
A worker opens a sack of flour to prepare bread dough in Beirut. Lebanon's wheat importers are already rationing flour sales to counter panic buying.
A worker opens a sack of flour to prepare bread dough in Beirut. Lebanon's wheat importers are already rationing flour sales to counter panic buying.
Lebanon, already suffering from years of financial crisis, has faced new problems since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Lebanon, already suffering from years of financial crisis, has faced new problems since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Lebanon normally buys 96 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
Lebanon normally buys 96 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
The war between two of the world's biggest wheat exporters has sparked fears of a food crisis in many Middle Eastern countries.
The war between two of the world's biggest wheat exporters has sparked fears of a food crisis in many Middle Eastern countries.
Lebanese importers are struggling to get dollars from a subsidy programme to buy wheat from new suppliers.
Lebanese importers are struggling to get dollars from a subsidy programme to buy wheat from new suppliers.
As countries try to secure new sources of wheat, cash-strapped Lebanon's small market of 6 million people could go without.
As countries try to secure new sources of wheat, cash-strapped Lebanon's small market of 6 million people could go without.
Lebanon lacks grain storage after silos were destroyed in the 2020 Beirut Port blast.
Lebanon lacks grain storage after silos were destroyed in the 2020 Beirut Port blast.
The country needs 50,000 tonnes of wheat to feed its people for a month.
The country needs 50,000 tonnes of wheat to feed its people for a month.
Subsidies keep the price of bread in Lebanon artificially low.
Subsidies keep the price of bread in Lebanon artificially low.
But a loaf now costs on average 10,000 Lebanese pounds, or $0.45, more than six times the price in 2019.
But a loaf now costs on average 10,000 Lebanese pounds, or $0.45, more than six times the price in 2019.
Millers estimate that without subsidies, prices could more than double.
Millers estimate that without subsidies, prices could more than double.
Analysts fear that could cause social unrest in a country where three quarters of the population now live in poverty.
Analysts fear that could cause social unrest in a country where three quarters of the population now live in poverty.

“Before these two years, it [Bchemoun] was great,” he said. But now, most families were faced with “no other choice” than to be reliant on food aid.

On one Sunday alone during Ramadan, he said 412 families were coming to the school in Bchamoun to pick up food packages, vouchers and hygiene kits.

“Of course, if we didn’t need this we wouldn’t come here. This way we can get more of the things for home, because we are getting this food,” said Umm Maryam, citing the example of car fuel, and paying for rent and electricity.

Seated at a long desk in the school, volunteers helped co-ordinate the distribution of the food packages, which were donated by Islamic Relief USA.

Thousands of families in the Bchamoun area are expected to be supported with food parcels during Ramadan. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk
Thousands of families in the Bchamoun area are expected to be supported with food parcels during Ramadan. Courtesy of Anera / Hisham Mahtouk

Jihad Al Shami, a 48-year-old father of three, used to run his own clothing business, but lost it amid the economic turmoil. And while he is working again at a nearby supermarket, he says the situation is “getting worse and worse”.

“Because of the bad situation in Lebanon, even less help [than he is getting] would be a great help for people,” he said.

So severe is the financial crisis and loss of value of the Lebanese pound, Mr Al Shami said even comparatively well-paid colleagues of his risk spending all of their monthly salary in the first 10 days or so after getting paid.

“If I wanted to get shoes for my youngest child, for example, it will cost me around $15-20 — 500 or 600,000 Lebanese pounds — which is half of my salary.”

UAE distributes food parcels for Ramadan: Video

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

More coverage from the Future Forum
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year
On Women's Day

Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic

Power: 445bhp

Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh474,600

On Sale: Now

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.

On Women's Day
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%20%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonday%2C%20June%2019%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESri%20Lanka%20v%20UAE%2C%20Queen%E2%80%99s%20Sports%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20June%2021%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOman%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFriday%2C%20June%2023%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScotland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETuesday%2C%20June%2027%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIreland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on Afghanistan
MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright

List of officials:

Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.

While you're here

Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20with%2048V%20mild%20hybrid%20system%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E544hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%20at%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh700%2C000%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Elate%20November%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info

Premier League

Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)

On Women's Day
More from Peter Hellyer
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

More from Tom Fletcher
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fixtures:

Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final

Table:

1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10

2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8

3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6

4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4

5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2

While you're here...
Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Virtual banks explained

What is a virtual bank?

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.

What’s the draw in Asia?

Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.

Is Hong Kong short of banks?

No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year. 

Our commentary on Brexit
While you're here
Updated: April 21, 2022, 4:29 AM`
Lebanon