BEIRUT, Aug 24 (NNN-NNA) – The shortage of fuel in Lebanon started to weigh heavily on different sectors in the country.
Lebanon has been facing a serious shortage of fuel, amid lack of U.S. currency reserves needed to import basic commodities. This has caused successive power cuts in the country, affecting Lebanese daily life and causing difficulties in maintaining regular operations of businesses.
The trade sector has lost around 80 percent of its activities, as it is more difficult to deliver products to consumers, given the lack of gasoline, said Adnan Rammal, representative of the trade sector in the Economic and Social Council.
“Customers are no longer free to use their cars to visit shops and buy their needs,” he added.
Jean Beyrouthy, head of the Federation of Touristic Syndicates, said that, many hotels were forced to close some of their floors, to reduce electricity consumption.
“Also, taxis have increased their fares, which make it harder for tourists to enjoy the summer season in the country,” he said.
For his part, William Boutros, head of the Lebanese Poultry Syndicate, said, the poultry sector is likely to face a disaster, due to power rationing, as over 20 million birds in 2,000 farms are faced with death, which will deprive thousands of families and workers, of their income, not to mention the negative repercussions on the environment and food security.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Tarshishi, head of Bekaa Farmers Association, said, the agricultural sector, which is the fifth largest sector to provide job opportunities in Lebanon, incurred heavy losses after hundreds of water suction pumps, used to irrigate crops, stopped a few weeks ago.
Kamel Mehanna, head of Amel Association International, which manages 25 medical centres and seven mobile medical units, said that, health centres, clinics and hospitals across the country are in a critical situation, unable to operate necessary equipment, such as ventilators.
The country is in dire need for an effective cabinet, capable of undertaking major reforms, to unlock foreign aid in an attempt to overcome the current multifaceted crisis.– NNN-NNA
