whats happening in lebanon
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Where Lebanon is currently at right now is not only devastating but beyond catastrophic.

As a Lebanese woman who loves her country so profoundly, it’s overwhelming to put my emotions into words. Anyone who feels for their country and loves it deeply will feel the same way. Just yesterday, we reached the one year mark of the devastating explosion, which took place on August 4th, 2020 and completely shattered and demolished the lives of many across Lebanon. From broken homes to crushed businesses and little to nothing left of the Beirut port, the country is going through it, and unfortunately, it’s just one thing after another. Mind you, the Covid cases are only getting higher, the economic crisis is beyond compare, and the fuel shortage is an ongoing issue – no country deserves to live like this and what is happening to Lebanon right this second is beyond what anyone expected to see next for the country.

As of yesterday, the central bank announced that it would end the fuel subsidy, meaning it will start offering credit lines for fuel imported based on the market price for the Lebanese pound. Most of Lebanon already is experiencing blackouts, where the power is out most of the day and night – leaving Beirut in complete darkness.

The people in Lebanon are being stripped from their lifelines. Hospitals are running out of diesel to power their equipment; the critically ill will soon be cut off life-saving oxygen machines. Red Cross ambulances can not operate their vehicle to save lives. The National Suicide Hotline will be unavailable for the entirety of the coming two days. You can not find Advil or any medicine in pharmacies, whether for diabetes, chronic diseases, fatal illness, or cancer. The Lebanese people are out of everything.

Even food, the prices have skyrocketed, and all small businesses, supermarkets, bakeries, cafes, restaurants and malls have announced temporarily closed – who can live like that? What’s left for the people of Lebanon now? How can they support themselves or even their children? It feels like even those with access to USD won’t find what they need to survive. All of this is going on while the politicians are doing absolutely nothing about it.

With all this information being released, oftentimes, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. If you are looking for a way to support Lebanon, here are four ways you can help. The smallest amount of support can genuinely go a long way and is appreciated more than you know.

1. Speak Up & Raise Awareness

This is a humanitarian crisis. It’s crucial for anyone who has a voice or platform to use it for the greater good. By sharing, you are telling the people of Lebanon that they are seen and heard. This is a massive trauma they are going through, and it is essential to make them feel emotionally supported and acknowledged that this is not ‘normal.

Speak up. Your voice matters!

2. Call or Text a friend and check-in

If you have a friend in Beirut, it’s important to check in on them and show you support them on a personal level. We see the news and read it, but it’s unimaginable how everyone in Lebanon is actually feeling. If you check in on a friend, they will appreciate it – empathy is urgent right now. Just knowing someone is thinking of them or listening to their needs matters.

3. Employ a Lebanese Citizen Remotely

The level of talent in Lebanon is unreal, from creatives to designers, chiefs, artists and more. Many have lost hope with the devastating year, but that doesn’t mean their talent should be dismissed. We have an array of creatives, and hiring a hardworking, talented and qualified Lebanese citizen that adds value to your work can change their lives.

4. Raise Funds For Beirut

Whether it’s taking profits from your day, week or month, dedicating a percentage from your earnings and supporting their community can go a long way. The people of Lebanon need everything; your funds could go toward a sick child’s medicine, food for a family, rebuilding a shattered home. The littlest amount goes a long way.