The economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating explosion in Beirut: for the past year Lebanon has seen challenges which have resulted in an utter state of hopelessness and rapid deterioration in mental health of many of its citizens
Beirut, Lebanon; Tuesday, September 1st, 2020. Credit: Photojournalist Rahib Yassine
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb 1 2021 (IPS) - Humankind is no stranger to the destabilizing events of 2020. The state of the global economy and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the headlines. In this ever escalating global crisis, Lebanon, has been facing what can only be described as unimaginable hardships. For the past year the country has seen challenges which have resulted in an utter state of hopelessness and rapid deterioration in mental health of many of its citizens.
The country has been facing a high rate of youth unemployment, with 55% of the Lebanese population already living under the poverty line according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Followed by an almost complete devaluation of the Lebanese currency due to ever-growing political uncertainties and national lockdowns to tackle the pandemic, Lebanon is faced with one of its worst economi