On Wednesday (August 4), an international donor conference raised hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency aid for Lebanon, exceeding the initial target, the co-hosting country said.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s goal is to raise at least US$350 million in emergency aid for the victims of Lebanon, including US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdul Fatah. Sisi, Lebanese President Michel Aoun and the International Monetary Fund. .
Macron’s office stated that in the end, the new pledges totaled approximately US$370 million. In addition, there is a promise of “large amounts of in-kind assistance.”
But when world leaders paid for their help, they also said that Lebanese leaders need to better deal with the aftermath of the massive explosion that killed hundreds of people in Beirut last year.
“I think Lebanese leaders… owe their people truth and transparency,” Macron said at the disaster anniversary meeting.
The explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020 killed at least 214 people, traumatized the country, and brought an already faltering economy closer to the brink of collapse.
Fuel, medicine, and food in Lebanon have become scarce because political parties are arguing over the composition of the new government, hindering much-needed international assistance.
Macron started the donor’s pledge with nearly 100 million euros in French aid and 500,000 Covid-19 vaccination shots.
But he severely criticized the Lebanese leaders, accusing them of “deliberately making things worse” and putting “personal and partisan interests above the interests of the Lebanese people.”
Macron’s financial commitment was supported by Biden, who announced that it would provide “nearly 100 million US dollars in new humanitarian assistance” to Lebanon.
But he stated that “if Lebanese leaders do not commit to the arduous but necessary work of reforming the economy and combating corruption, no amount of external assistance will be enough.”
‘Man-made crisis‘
Two aid conferences prior to last year raised 280 million euros in emergency relief.
Although this aid is unconditional, the meeting warned that the international community will not sign a larger rescue plan until Lebanon has a new government dedicated to fighting corruption and carrying out economic reforms.
The final statement of the meeting said: “Providing structural economic and financial assistance will require profound changes by Lebanese political leaders.”
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced that he had received 40 million euros in aid from his country. He said: “Frankly speaking: This crisis is mainly caused by man. Lebanese political actors have not fulfilled their responsibilities and the Lebanese people’s Legitimate expectations.”
As far as the European Union is concerned, it provided 5.5 million euros to help Lebanon fight the new crown virus.
The International Monetary Fund pointed out that as the organization launches a new round of special drawing rights for all its members later this month, Lebanon will receive US$860 billion in special drawing rights (SDR).
The International Monetary Fund warned: “It is imperative to use SDRs responsibly and wisely.”
Lebanon has not had a government in the past year.
Najib Mikati, a billionaire businessman who was recently appointed as prime minister, had hoped to form a cabinet before the anniversary of the bombing, but the debate over cabinet positions continues.
The European Union said last week that it is prepared to impose sanctions on members of the ruling elite that hinder improved governance and public sector accountability.
France has banned several Lebanese officials from entering its territory, but has not publicly named them.
One of the main demands of the Lebanese people and the international community is a senior official investigating the warehouse fire that caused the port explosion.
