ALBAWABA – The Lebanese government announced that the country will have enough food supplies for 5 months and enough fuel for 5 weeks if Israel imposes a blockade on the country, according to Reuters.
Lebanon and the recent escalations
Nasser Yassin, the minister overseeing contingency planning for a wider conflict, told Reuters that Lebanon would need $100 million monthly for food, shelter, healthcare, and other needs if the escalations develop and Israel imposes a blockade on Lebanon.
Yassin added that if the government can fulfill a small fraction of the estimated need -10% or 15%- it would be a significant challenge for the Lebanese government to manage.
International aids to Lebanon
It is important to note that international aid to Lebanon has been in shortage during the 10 past months of the continuous conflict and escalation in the region between Israel, Iran, and Lebanon. Lebanon received only a third of the $74 million needed to meet its requirements.
Lebanon would need $100 million monthly for food, shelter, healthcare, and other needs if the escalations develop and Israel imposes a blockade on Lebanon. (Shutterstock)
Yassin announced that Lebanon's food supplies can last for about 4 to 5 months if Israel imposes a blockade on Lebanon, like the one that occurred in 2006 during the war. While diesel supplies can only last for five weeks, which is alarming as the country relies on generators to power hospitals, bakeries, and internet connections as the government offers limited provided electricity services to its citizens.
Yassin concluded by stating that the Lebanese government will join urgent discussions on Thursday, August 15, in Doha or Cairo to finalize an agreement to stop the ongoing conflict and escalations in the region and begin implementing it immediately.
