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Month: September 2021

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/30/2021

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DAILY NEWS

US and Qatar Coordinate Sanctions Against Hezbollah Network
In coordination with Qatar, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions yesterday on a major Hezbollah financial network based in the Arabian Peninsula. In a statement, the department emphasized the importance of international partners like Qatar to help tackle cross-border abuses to the international finance system. [US Department of Treasury]

Jordan Prime Minister Visits Beirut
Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh met with Prime Minister Najib Miqati to discuss the plan to flow Egyptian gas through Jordan and Syria to Lebanon. The conversation looked at ways to expedite the process and help Lebanon’s energy challenges. Khasawneh said there are efforts to provide Lebanon with electricity as well but said later discussions on this will follow. [AP]

Central Bank Rejects Changes to Exchange Rates for Withdrawals
The Lebanese central bank announced yesterday that it rejects changes to the exchange rate used to withdraw cash in Lebanese pounds from US dollar accounts, though parliamentarians have been calling for the rate to be raised. Banque du Liban said that a change to the rate without a comprehensive financial plan would have big consequences on the money supply. It added that it will extend current rates until January 31, 2022 to give the new government time to introduce its reform plan. [Reuters]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Assist ISF and LAF Families in These Desperate Times
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “There is no way to ignore the sword of Damocles hanging over the security services in Lebanon. It is shocking but true that deficits for both the ISF and LAF exceed 90% in the current budget. This affects everything from salaries and health services, to food supplies, operations, and staffing. At a program in Beirut on September 22, General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the LAF, Major General Imad Osman, Commander of the ISF, and US Ambassador Dorothy Shea addressed the difficulties facing the troops and their families…Together we are committed to raising funds to support the families of the LAF and ISF who are under severe pressure as a result of the erosion of the Lebanese currency, economy, and essential supplies. Not only does the deficit impact their livelihoods, but it reduces their effectiveness and operational readiness as they have had to cut back funds allocated to operations and supplies in order to pay soldiers.”

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/29/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Protesters Support Judge Bitar’s Investigation
Today around 300 protesters gathered outside of the Justice Palace in Beirut in support of Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation of the Beirut Port blast. After two former ministers filed requests to remove Bitar, the domestic probe was suspended on Monday until the Court of Cassation makes a decision. Earlier this summer the two former ministers who filed the requests were called in for questioning by Bitar but did not show up. Protesters held up pictures of their loved ones lost to the Beirut explosion. They protested against the suspension of the investigation and said it is the “last opportunity for accountability.” [Al Jazeera]

Banks and Financial Officials Discuss Losses From Economic Collapse
Lebanon’s economy minister said today that the country’s banking sector, central bank, and other players are working in “harmony” to get to an agreement on the size of sustained losses during Lebanon’s economic crisis. Coming to an agreement on this is critical to IMF talks. Last year, disagreement over the scales of the losses and how they should be distributed contributed to the break down of IMF talks. [Reuters]

UN Report Warns of Dire Conditions for Syrian Refugees
In a report produced by the UN’s refugee agency, World Food Program, and children’s agency, the contributors warned that more than 1 million Syrian refugees are in dire conditions and that nine out of ten are in extreme poverty. It added that the cost of an essential food basket has increased more than seven time since 2019. [AP]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Assist ISF and LAF Families in These Desperate Times
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader writes, “There is no way to ignore the sword of Damocles hanging over the security services in Lebanon. It is shocking but true that deficits for both the ISF and LAF exceed 90% in the current budget. This affects everything from salaries and health services, to food supplies, operations, and staffing. At a program in Beirut on September 22, General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the LAF, Major General Imad Osman, Commander of the ISF, and US Ambassador Dorothy Shea addressed the difficulties facing the troops and their families…Together we are committed to raising funds to support the families of the LAF and ISF who are under severe pressure as a result of the erosion of the Lebanese currency, economy, and essential supplies. Not only does the deficit impact their livelihoods, but it reduces their effectiveness and operational readiness as they have had to cut back funds allocated to operations and supplies in order to pay soldiers.”

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Watch the event here
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The National
Lebanon is a Model of Militias Taking Over the State
Michael Young

Young writes, “Lebanon stands out as a model of how former militia leaders have taken over the state. A majority of sectarian military leaders became pillars of the post-war order at the end of the country’s civil war in 1990. This happened at a time when centralized states were still the norm in the region. But that is no longer true, as countries throughout the Arab world have been shattered by conflict. Why should Lebanon matter? Precisely because it was the first country to show that militia leaders could be recycled after a war into legitimate national figures, regardless of the crimes they committed during conflict. Leading a militia became a path to social promotion for many individuals previously on society’s periphery…The post-war system may have been dominated by former militia leaders, but its principal protector today is another militia, Hezbollah, which was not initially part of the post-war carve-up. The former militiamen and businessmen have been reliant on Hezbollah to protect their system, but in the process they threaten to be marginalized.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Assist ISF and LAF Families in These Desperate Times

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There is no way to ignore the sword of Damocles hanging over the security services in Lebanon. It is shocking but true that deficits for both the ISF and LAF exceed 90% in the current budget. This affects everything from salaries and health services, to food supplies, operations, and staffing. At a program in Beirut on September 22, General Joseph Aoun, Commander of the LAF, Major General Imad Osman, Commander of the ISF, and US Ambassador Dorothy Shea addressed the difficulties facing the troops and their families.

Ambassador Shea noted that the US is the largest donor to the LAF providing some $2.6 billion since 2006 with an additional $56 million approved just the previous week. The current first-ever visit to the LAF of a naval training ship demonstrates that the US will continue to support training, materials, and equipment to ensure the LAF’s readiness and capacity. She assured the audience that the US invested in the LAF because of its professionalism and its respect for the human and civil rights of the people in Lebanon.

Ambassador Ed Gabriel, President of ATFL spoke after the officials, and asked both the virtual audience overseas and those in Lebanon to help address the needs of the troops. ATFL has joined with Spirit of America (www.spiritofamerica.org), the not-for-profit US organization made up of veterans of the US armed services who provide humanitarian assistance in conflict areas where US forces serve overseas.

Together we are committed to raising funds to support the families of the LAF and ISF who are under severe pressure as a result of the erosion of the Lebanese currency, economy, and essential supplies. Not only does the deficit impact their livelihoods, but it reduces their effectiveness and operational readiness as they have had to cut back funds allocated to operations and supplies in order to pay soldiers.

General Aoun provided details of how the lira, at an estimated rate of 15,000:1, has severely undermined personnel costs and gravely limited the Army’s patrols and logistics. Major General Osman noted that budget shortfalls mean that even basic arms and munitions are not available to the ISF, challenging the capacity of the troops to carry out their responsibilities.

A basic calculation is that a family can be supported with a contribution of $100 per month ($1200 annually). All donations will be transparently channeled through Spirit of America, which will provide details on how the monies are allocated. A video of the September 22 conference is available here.

In the meantime, you can donate at this link.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/28/2021

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DAILY NEWS

PM Miqati to Meet With Lazard Over Financial Recovery Plan
Prime Minister Najib Miqati is explected to meet with the advisory firm Lazard to discuss a financial recovery plan the firm drafted for Lebanon. Miqati said he wants to see how it could be developed into a “more realistic” version. Lazard drafted a plan for the previous government as well, but the plan was shot down by banks concerned that they would be made to cover the bill for the financial collapse. The central bank and political elites also opposed the recovery plan. The IMF endorsed the previous plan and reaching a deal with the IMF includes the government coming to an agreement on the losses. [Reuters]

UN Security Council Calls on Lebanon to Make Reforms and Commit to a Policy of Dissociation
Yesterday the UN Security Council called on Lebanon to commit to a policy of dissociation from external conflicts. The statement was a reference to Hezbollah’s interventions in wars across the region including Syria. The Security Council also called on the new Lebanese government to implement reforms and for a “swift, independent, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation” into the Beirut Port explosion. [Al Arabiya]

Lebanese Man Dies From Beirut Port Injuries
Yesterday a Lebanese man who was injured by last year’s Beirut Port explosion died from his injuries. Ibrahim Harb was at his downtown office when the ammonium nitrate exploded and put Harb into a coma for the next three months. He then stayed in a rehabilitation center until three days ago when the family decided to bring him home. [AP]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Middle East Institute
Power Sector Reforms Are New Lebanese Government’s Ultimate Test
Ali Ahmad, Mounir Mahmalat, Paul Noumba Um, Jamal Saghir

The authors write, “At the center of Lebanon’s economic woes, the energy sector alone has contributed to about 40% of the country’s public debt since 1992. Despite such high levels of spending, Lebanon’s electricity supply ranks among the worst worldwide, with near complete blackouts plaguing citizens during the summer heat of July and August. Simply put, Lebanon cannot afford to waste another opportunity to reform its electricity sector. A structural reform of the sector is of immediate priority to achieve economic recovery. Blocked for decades by political paralysis within an elite-level arrangement incapable of delivering reforms, Lebanon’s present-day crises offer a window of opportunity to finally deliver change. These crises can produce a new political settlement in which electricity sector reforms must be a major component. Chief among these reforms is the establishment and operationalization of an electricity regulatory authority (ERA), an independent institution tasked with, among other things, setting tariffs and supervising contracts with the private sector for electricity production and distribution.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/27/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Bitar’s Probe Frozen While Requests for Removal Are Reviewed
Former ministers Nouhad al-Mashnouq and Youssef Fenianos filed requests to remove Judge Tarek Bitar from the Beirut Port blast investigation. Bitar’s probe is now frozen while the Court of Cassation reviews the requests. [Naharnet] Both al-Mashnouq and Fenianos had been called in for questioning by Bitar but did not show up. Their requests question Bitar’s neutrality. [The Daily Star] Bitar was also threatened by Hezbollah’s head of Internal Security. On Wednesday, a protest is scheduled in Beirut support of Bitar and his work. [The 961]

Aoun Chairs Meeting to Discuss IMF Negotiations
Today President Michel Aoun led a meeting to discuss negotiations with the IMF. Prime Minister Miqati, Deputy PM Saadeh al-Shami and the Finance and Economy ministers attended. [Naharnet]

Macron Urges Reforms and IMF Talks
During Prime Minister Miqati’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron last Friday, Macron urged him to implement urgent reform measures and to move forward with IMF negotiations. Macron announced France’s continued support for Lebanon and emphasized the opportunity the new Miqati government has to “push ahead on the reforms path.” [Reuters]

Aoun at the UN General Assembly
At the UN General Assembly on Friday President Michel Aoun told the international community that Lebanon is relying on it for funding to “revive the economic cycle and create new job opportunities.” He added that the new government shows Lebanon has entered a new phase and that international support is needed to achieve its goals. [Reuters]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Reuters
Who Pays? Lebanon Faces Tough Questions in IMF Bailout Bid
Tom Perry and Maha El Dahan

Perry and El Dahan write, “In its bid for IMF support, Lebanon must address a question it has evaded since the economy imploded two years ago: how should it distribute the huge losses caused by its financial collapse? Till now, the answer has been brutally simple: ordinary Lebanese have paid the price as they watched savings evaporate, the currency crumble and basic goods disappear from the shelves. When a plan was drawn up last year that identified a $90 billion hole in the financial system, it was shot down by banks which complained it made them foot too much of the bill and by the ruling elite who had driven Lebanon into its crisis. Since then, Lebanon has sunk deeper into trouble with no plan and no government until its fractious sectarian politicians ended a year of bickering and agreed a new cabinet this month. The new prime minister, billionaire tycoon Najib Mikati, and his government need to acknowledge the scale of losses and work out how to share them out to deliver on a promise to secure International Monetary Fund assistance with economic reforms.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

This Week In Lebanon: 9/24/2021

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September 24, 2021
Miqati’s Meeting with Macron Today
Lebanon’s Creditors Urge IMF Talks
Fuel Prices Raised 16 Percent

Miqati’s Meeting with Macron Today
Prime Minister Najib Miqati is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris today. The two leaders are said to discuss resolutions from the CEDRE Conference and the possibility of granting three to four billion dollars to Lebanon from CEDRE donations. Macron is reportedly seeking to give French companies priority in the reconstruction of Beirut’s Port and electricity sector. [Naharnet]

RESPONSE

“President Macron is in a strengthened position to call for a reform agenda that includes stabilizing the lira, controlling inflation, stopping subsidies and establishing a cash card program for the most vulnerable, support for the LAF, and tackling the fuel and electricity crisis. PM Miqati should follow this visit with one to the US, in which the State Department and IMF underscore the same message. A coordinated international message embraced by PM Miqati will align him with reform constituencies back home and provide a road map for Lebanon’s short term recovery.”

-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel

Lebanon’s Creditors Urge IMF Talks
A group of Lebanon’s bondholders, including Amundi, Ashmore, BlackRock, BlueBay, Fidelity and T-Rowe Price, said in a statement that it urges the Lebanese government to engage in IMF talks as soon as possible. The group said they hope for a rapid debt restructuring process. [Reuters]

RESPONSE

“The new government is facing many issues; all are priorities, and none more crucial than the financial sector including restarting the economy, stopping the slide of the lira, injecting liquidity in the banking sector, and eliminating subsidies while protecting the people from further hardship. This requires fortitude, patience, and diligence in pursuing credible and transparent negotiations with the IMF and the bondholders. However, the priority must be the people – reduce the threat of losses in their bank deposits, open access to their funds, press for a transparent and effective cash card system, and build trust. PM Miqati has noted that building trust is the most difficult challenge,; and hesitation and business as usual will fall far short of what’s needed.”

-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Fuel Prices Raised 16 Percent
Today Lebanon raised the price of fuel by 16 percent, the second time in five days that it has raised prices. The government is gradually lifting fuel subsidies, a priority noted in the new government’s policy statement, until they are completely removed. Lebanese are now paying about ten times more for fuel compared to pre-crisis rates. [AP]

RESPONSE

“It’s hard for people waiting for gas or unable to open their shops for lack of generator fuel to understand the logic of reducing and eliminating subsidies. The government should take a two-pronged approach: a campaign to explain that the issue is one of demand, not supply as Lebanon receives more fuel supplies than it consumes, in parallel with a full scale effort to end smuggling of fuel and other subsidized products across the Syrian border. More fuel = more supply = lower prices. People can understand that and stretch their patience even further, if they are treated as citizens, not statistics.”

-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/24/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Another Former Minister Files Request to Remove Judge Bitar
Today former interior minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq filed a request to remove Judge Tarek Bitar from the Beirut Port investigation. On Wednesday, former minister of public works Youssef Fenianos filed a similar request on the grounds of “legitimate suspicion.” Both al-Mashnouq and Fenianos had been charged and called in for questioning by Bitar over the Port blast. Human Rights Watch research Aya Majzoub says, “It is outrageous that Lebanese politicians think they can just replace a judge every time he tries to hold them accountable until one is appointed that is to their liking.” [Naharnet]

Hezbollah Announces Second Fuel Shipment
Today Hezbollah announced the arrival of a second Iranian fuel ship to Syria. The fuel is expected to follow the path of the first fuel delivery by trucking the fuel from Syria’s port across the border to Lebanon. [Reuters] Analysts say this is a PR stunt for the group, and can’t even be considered a “band-aid solution” as the fuel delivered so far was enough to only last a few days. [Washington Post] Lebanon’s state electricity company said yesterday that the country is on the brink of a total blackout by the end of this month. [Reuters] Today UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Najat Rochdi announced the start of fuel deliveries to critical healthcare and water institutions across Lebanon in an effort led by the World Food Program. [Naharnet]

Lebanese Entrepreneur Makes the Ten Most Outstanding Young Persons of the World List
Christopher Arida, a Lebanese entrepreneur and environmental activist, has been named on the 2021 Ten Most Outstanding Young Persons of the World list. He is the first Lebanese to make it on the “TOYP” list. The program honors ten young people for their expertise and display of leadership and the winners are determined by public voting. [The 961]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Reuters
Who Pays? Lebanon Faces Tough Questions in IMF Bailout Bid
Tom Perry and Maha El Dahan

Perry and El Dahan write, “In its bid for IMF support, Lebanon must address a question it has evaded since the economy imploded two years ago: how should it distribute the huge losses caused by its financial collapse? Till now, the answer has been brutally simple: ordinary Lebanese have paid the price as they watched savings evaporate, the currency crumble and basic goods disappear from the shelves. When a plan was drawn up last year that identified a $90 billion hole in the financial system, it was shot down by banks which complained it made them foot too much of the bill and by the ruling elite who had driven Lebanon into its crisis. Since then, Lebanon has sunk deeper into trouble with no plan and no government until its fractious sectarian politicians ended a year of bickering and agreed a new cabinet this month. The new prime minister, billionaire tycoon Najib Mikati, and his government need to acknowledge the scale of losses and work out how to share them out to deliver on a promise to secure International Monetary Fund assistance with economic reforms.”

Read more here

AP News
Mideast in Shambles, But the World Has Moved on For Now
Zeina Karam

Karam writes, “There was a time not long ago when uprisings and wars in the Arab world topped the agenda at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York. With most of those conflicts in a stalemate, the world’s focus has shifted to more daunting global challenges such as the still raging coronavirus pandemic and climate change, as well as new crises in Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. But the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated significantly in more countries and in more ways in the last two years. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen are teetering on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, with skyrocketing poverty and an economic implosion that threatens to throw the region into even deeper turmoil.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/23/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Former Minister Files Request to Remove Judge Bitar
Yesterday former minister of public works Youssef Fenianos filed a request to remove Judge Tarek Bitar from the Beirut Port blast investigation over “legitimate suspicion.” Fenianos, who Bitar charged with criminal negligence in early July, has refused to appear for questioning. This refusal led to Bitar issuing an arrest warrant for Fenianos earlier this week. [Al Jazeera]

Lebanon At Risk of Total Blackout by End of September
Lebanon’s state electricity company warned that the country could be in total blackout by the end of September if its fuel oil reserves are not replenished. It is using fuel oil that was secured in a deal with Iraq, but said that its reserves of both Grade A and Grade B fuel have reached a critical point and some plants have stopped production. [Reuters]

Aoun Meets with Maritime Border Negotiation Team
Today President MIchel Aoun met with the Lebanese delegation that has been a part of maritime border negotiations with Israel. At the meeting participants discussed next steps since Israel signed evaluation contracts for gas and oil excavation in the disputed area. Aoun gave the delegation a report detailing negotiation strategy going forward. [Naharnet]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Arab News
How Biden Can Use Soft Power to Rein in Hezbollah
Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib

Khatib writes, “If the US were to succeed in diplomatic efforts to define a final border between Israel and Lebanon, it would be able to undermine Hezbollah’s narrative, even its raison d’etre as an armed resistance against Israel. However, delineating the border does not mean the group would cave in immediately, give up its weapons and turn into a political party. Disarming the group without driving the country into a violent confrontation is a long-term aim, but the delineation of borders between Israel and Lebanon would be an important step toward this goal.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Lebanon Daily News Brief 9/22/2021

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DAILY NEWS

Fuel Prices Raised 16 Percent
Today Lebanon raised the price of fuel by 16 percent, the second time in five days that it has raised prices. The government is gradually lifting fuel subsidies, a priority noted in the new government’s policy statement, until they are completely removed. Lebanese are now paying about ten times more for fuel compared to pre-crisis rates. [AP]

US 5th Fleet Begins Inaugural Central Partnership Station Exercise in Lebanon
For the first time the US 5th Fleet is conducting a Central Partnership Station exercise in Lebanon. The exercise aims to combine “partner-building military training” with humanitarian work in US Central Command. The Lebanese Armed Forces will be trained to conduct missions like mine countermeasures, naval construction, and disaster-related public health activities. Essential goods like baby formula will also be delivered to Lebanon. [DefenseNews]

Miqati to Meet with Macron on Friday
After Monday’s vote of confidence for the new government under Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the PM will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris this Friday. The two leaders are said to discuss resolutions from the CEDRE Conference and the possibility of granting three to four billion dollars to Lebanon from CEDRE donations. Macron is reportedly seeking to give French companies priority in the reconstruction of Beirut’s Port and electricity sector. [Naharnet]

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Voices of Healing: From a Small Seed to an International Mission
Jean AbiNader

AbiNader describes the efforts of a Lebanese architect, Terry Bitar, and her work through the Charity Donation Foundation: “Bitar believes that civil society is the most resilient part of Lebanon, and Charity Donation Foundation’s consistent and ongoing weekly campaigns spread a message of hope and showcase the strength, resilience, and resolve of all Lebanese communities helping each other, side by side, to overcome all problems while carving new pathways for a brand new Lebanon. The Foundation has a vision for Lebanon in which the leadership works on behalf of the people, lacking sectarianism, serving a society that is civically engaged and ready to help, serve, and build together.”

Read more here

Real Clear World
We Need to Save Lebanon
Bill Cassidy and Marc Malek

Cassidy and Malek write, “The United States and the West cannot continue to neglect this imminent crisis. As we’ve seen time and time again in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and elsewhere, state failure causes disastrous ripple effects. Failed states lead to displacement and can morph into bases for terrorists to launch attacks on the West. Lebanon is particularly dangerous in both of these respects. The last thing the world needs is another failed state.”

Read more here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.

Voices of Healing: From a Small Seed to an International Mission

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The statistics on Lebanon’s desperate conditions are well known. From more than 74% of the population living in poverty, to the erosion in purchasing power and the scarcity of essential goods, the situation is perilous. Yet the Lebanese people, as they have done for decades, refuse to be defeated. This is the story of one such person, Terry Bitar, a Lebanese architect studying for her MBA in the US, who turned her personal humanitarian initiative into an international effort, the Charity Donation Foundation www.charitydonationfoundation.org.

Her mission began simply enough in 2014 in her hometown of Zahle, gathering clothing for Lebanon’s most underprivileged families and combatting the challenging impact on local communities of hosting a large number of refugees. Services were provided to the needy, regardless of sect or political leanings, to spread the message of hope and national purpose.

Her work and the foundation’s reach have spread beyond Lebanon and it is now headquartered in Washington, DC. The on-field team remains as engaged and motivated to help and serve as ever, and in fact, their motivation has grown along with the increasing need on the ground in Lebanon. The team conducted more than 18 different campaigns since January 2021 with a total budget of less than $70,000 distributed among 5,200 beneficiaries and 12 NGOs in 12 different regions of the Bekaa and Beirut. Great results for a team operating under virtual management.

Bitar believes that civil society is the most resilient part of Lebanon, and Charity Donation Foundation’s consistent and ongoing weekly campaigns spread a message of hope and showcase the strength, resilience, and resolve of all Lebanese communities helping each other, side by side, to overcome all problems while carving new pathways for a brand new Lebanon. The Foundation has a vision for Lebanon in which the leadership works on behalf of the people, lacking sectarianism, serving a society that is civically engaged and ready to help, serve, and build together.

Bitar’s efforts have drawn international recognition, spreading its concepts for sustainable development in countries ranging from Egypt, to the US, France, Turkey, Pakistan, and Tunisia.

Due to Lebanon’s unprecedented economic crisis, Charity Donation launched emergency relief campaigns in March 2020. On a weekly basis and consistently since then, campaigns have continued with the aim of providing necessities, including food and hygiene products, to help support Lebanon’s most needy, including its middle class which has also grown deprived as a result of Lebanon’s augmenting economic downturn.

One of the Foundation’s most successful programs is a social enterprise called Love Bites. It is a Lebanese healthy snack brand that offers elderly, underprivileged women, and young university students the opportunity to pursue economic inclusion by producing food items. It ensures that team members can sell these products for a basic income, contributing to women’s empowerment and gender equality through economically inclusive social enterprises.

The Love Bites project has received funding from USAID and UKAID and produces more than 40 items In in different subsections, such as vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, keto, and light-friendly.

The most recent project is a “Help Lebanon” campaign to get basic food parcels, baby milk formula, and medications. The target of the foundation is to raise $50,000 US, and is mobilizing across the US and Lebanon. Donors can make a great impact by supporting this effort to help the Lebanese families who will receive the aid. More information and ways to donate can be found here: www.charitydonationfoundation.org/donate. For more information on CDF programs in Lebanon please send an email here.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon.