English
العربية
Français
Deutsch
Español
русский
हिंदी
اردو
LoginLebanese People Welcome Eid Al-Adha with Hope amid War
Beirut, May 26 (QNA) - Amid displacement and loss of life and property, the Lebanese welcome Eid Al-Adha with a mixture of hope and pain, as Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continue, imposing a harsh reality on a large number of families living in tents.
In an effort to mitigate the effects of the war on the Lebanese, especially those living in tents, director general of Al-Inmaa charitable social association and a member of the crisis and disaster management cell in Beirut Abu Bakr Choucair, said that work is ongoing as Eid Al-Adha approaches, hoping that it will bring peace and prosperity to everyone, and that peace will prevail in Lebanon, the Arab region, and the world.
Talking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Choucair said that following a directive from the Council of Ministers to arrange a camp for the displaced in Beirut, efforts have been made to provide assistance by arranging the spaces designated for tents and organizing the overall situation of those present.
He pointed to significant logistical difficulties and a clear shortage of aid reaching Lebanon, noting that even today, there is insufficient assistance to keep with the scale of the crisis. He added that during the aggression against Lebanon, the primary mission was to rescue, assist, and provide relief to people, and today they continue their volunteer work within the camps, striving to provide the minimum possible humanitarian aid during the Eid holidays.
The situation in the camps is not much different from that of most Lebanese on the eve of Eid, given the security concerns and the difficult economic conditions that dampen the joy of the occasion.
Dr. Anis Abu Diab, a member of the Economic and Social Council in Lebanon, confirmed to QNA that the economic situation is dire, explaining that projections had indicated revenues exceeding one billion dollars during the Eid period and the start of the summer season, but the reality has been quite different. There are no bookings, hotel occupancy is only 5 to 10 percent, car rentals are almost nonexistent, the restaurant sector is suffering from a severe recession, and commercial activity has declined by more than 70 percent, all amidst worsening negative economic indicators.
Abu Diab said that the tourism sector brought in approximately $5.2 billion to Lebanon last year, and revenues were expected to exceed $6 billion this year, particularly after the surge in tourism during the winter season, with Arab tourists flocking to ski resorts in February, prior to the outbreak of the Israeli war on Lebanon in March. Tourism and commerce subsequently ground to a halt under the weight of Israeli attacks and security concerns.
He highlighted the significant increase in the cost of the Israeli war on the Lebanese economy, saying that the economic cost of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon in 2014 reached approximately $14 billion. He noted that the cost of the current war, which began on March 2, appears even greater, given the widespread displacement and extensive destruction. Around 30 villages and towns in southern Lebanon were completely destroyed and razed to the ground, while dozens of others suffered extensive partial damage.
Abu Diab pointed out that the economic sector has also been affected by the decline in remittances from Lebanese expatriates due to the repercussions of the regional war. He noted that the economic contraction in Lebanon has reached 7 percent, warning that the continuation of the war will exacerbate this contraction.
He concluded his remarks to QNA by stating that the mandatory foreign currency reserves are being continuously depleted, while trade activity is almost at a standstill, and exports have declined significantly. He emphasized that Lebanon is going through one of the most difficult economic periods in its history. (QNA)
chat
Hello! How can we help?
Beta
