An increasing number of people in Lebanon rely on charities for their iftar meals because of a currency crisis that eroded purchasing power and plunged more than half of the country's population into poverty.
For many Lebanese, Ramadan was a time for families and friends to gather each day for iftar banquets that symbolised Lebanon's rich traditions of hospitality.
But this year is different. The cost of food has almost tripled since the crisis unfolded, with shortages in foreign currencies fuelling hyperinflation and increasing the cost of staple foods.
The average cumulative monthly cost of iftar for a family of five is two-and-a-half times the country's monthly minimum wage, according to a study by the American University of Beirut's Crisis Observatory Unit.
One Beirut resident, who collected food from the Ibad El Rahman NGO to share with her family, told The National: "Without aid, we would become beggars.
“Although my kids have jobs, I still have to get them food because they can’t afford it,” said Mirna El Masri, a 56-year-old homemaker.
With a salary of three-times the minimum wage, Ms El Masri’s family could afford a decent living until late in 2019, when one of the worst financial crises to grip the country in decades unfolded. An 85 per cent drop in the Lebanese pound’s value against the dollar since then has reduced Ms Al Masri’s household income from approximately $1000 to less than $150 dollars today.
“They can now only afford to pay for electricity, water, milk, diapers, and rent. There is nothing left for food,” she said.
Local businessman Mahmoud Alwan, 60, who was picking up food for his workers, said: “This year is harder than previous years.”
Beirut’s residents blame the country’s economic woes on the ruling political class.
Political deadlock has hindered the formation of a new government almost eight months after the massive Beirut port explosion toppled Hassan Diab’s Cabinet and caused $15 billion in estimated losses.
Since then, Lebanon’s leaders have been bickering over the upcoming cabinet’s composition and regional agenda, leaving the country without a fully-functioning government to enact reforms in exchange for international financial support.
Abo Hamza, 55, a wholesale butcher whose company donates food to the Maedat El Rahman tent to help families struggling to make ends meet, said: “People are hungry, people are feeling miserable…but the government isn’t feeling the people’s pain.
“They all don’t care about the people. They are the decision-makers but there’s no decision so that people don’t starve,” he said.
Political paralysis and the coronavirus outbreak have compounded Lebanon’s economic crisis.
Concerns of a new wave of Covid-19 infections has prompted many NGOs to make home deliveries.
But families struggling to stay afloat say charitable donations are no solution.
"People who used to give are now in need," Mona Itani, a member of Ghiras charity group, told The National.
Mr Alwan said the devastating impact of the crisis was now clear to see.
“Some Lebanese families are now digging food from the trash. We are seeing everyday people searching for bread, food, and leftovers to eat,” he said.
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Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
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ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD%204
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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
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MO
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if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
BMW%20M4%20Competition
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The years Ramadan fell in May