October 1, 2021
Turkish Company Shuts Down Power Barges
WHO Reports Medical Staff Brain Drain
Lebanon Asks For Water Purification Loan
Turkish Company Shuts Down Power Barges
Today the Turkish company Karpowership halted its electricity supply to Lebanon from its two power barges off the coast of Beirut. The company said Lebanon owes Karpowership more than $100 million in overdue payments. Karpowership says the shutdown comes after its contract expired on Thursday at midnight. [AP] The news arrives as Lebanon’s electricity problems continue and the country risks total blackout as fuel reserves dwindle. [Reuters]
RESPONSE
“Waiting on energy supply through Syria from Jordan and Egypt may take months. Gulf countries should take the opportunity to combat Iran’s publicity stunt with Arab Gulf tankers filled with gasoline and fuel oil. It is important for Gulf countries to show support for Lebanon as a counter to Iranian influence. In the longer term, the only solution to the energy crisis is to stop the regressive subsidy program, enact the World Bank cash cards for those in most need, and privatize electricity generation through a transparent regulatory agency bidding process.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
WHO Warns of Medical Staff Brain Drain from Lebanon
The World Health Organization recently reported accounts of “alarming” brain drain from Lebanon. The reports show that at least one third of medical staff have left the country in the past two years. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that fuel shortages are causing hospitals to operate at only 50 percent capacity and that medicine supplies are at dangerously short levels. [Middle East Eye]
RESPONSE
“The brain drain is mentioned frequently as a fatality of Lebanon’s collapse. It is painful both because of the loss of talent to maintain existing services, and longer term as a generation that may decide not to return, raise their children abroad, and become quality members of the overseas Lebanese community. Remittances aside, the opportunity for them to mentor and train young Lebanese will be lost. Their careers will be credited to the countries that accept them, make them welcome, and give them the space and support to achieve. It is a loss to a degree of the spiritual core of the Lebanese people, and that should be mourned.”
-ATFL Policy Director Jean AbiNader
Lebanon Asks for Water Purification Loan
Lebanon is asking the World Bank for a loan to help address its water pollution problem. The country’s Litani River and Qaraoun Lake have taken the brunt of Lebanon’s severe pollution issues with reports of large concentrations of coliform bacterias found in the bodies of water. Lebanon’s Environment Ministry says a loan from the World Bank would establish water purification stations. [The 961]
RESPONSE
“Water resources have been an issue in Lebanon for the past 40 years. I can remember being able to drink from streams coming down from the mountains and embracing the cool cleanliness, savoring its freshness. Now the shores of the sea, rivers, streams, and lakes have become garbage dumps in a country that relies in part on tourism for its recovery. Hopefully, the Miqati government will have the time to begin refreshing the water resources and this project can become a model for many other areas of the country.”
-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.