Lebanon is now going through the worst economic crisis in its history. 80 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. In one year, food prices have jumped 500 per cent due to galloping inflation.
Lebanon was long regarded as the Switzerland of the Middle East. But those days are gone. A series of crises have plunged the nation into the abyss. And its people are suffering.
For Riad, who runs a grocery store in the suburbs of Beirut, business has become hellish. Every morning, calculator in hand, he changes the labels of his products according to the day’s exchange rate. An operation made all the more complex by the fact that his store is plunged into darkness, due to a lack of electricity. The Lebanese government no longer provides more than two hours of electricity per day in the country. It is impossible for the population to heat, light or use their refrigerators. Taking advantage of the situation, a network of private generators has emerged.
The Lebanese pound, the local currency, has lost 90 per cent of its value. The only people unaffected are those paid in dollars. The greenback, which can be exchanged for a small fortune against the local currency, has created a new privileged social class in the country. A salesman in an international pharmaceutical company, Joseph lives like a king in a ruined Lebanon. Thanks to his new purchasing power, he repaid his mortgage in two months, instead of… twenty years!
In a bankrupt state, plagued by corruption, six out of ten Lebanese now dream of leaving the country. In Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, Mohammed and his son set out for Germany by sea. Even though the trip was cut short off the Turkish coast, the young father is still ready to take all possible risks to reach the European Eldorado.
#documentary #dwdocumentary #Lebanon #Beirut
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Dear viewers, we would like to apologize for a translation error at @ 27:19. The correct figure should be 100 billion dollars as opposed to 100 million. We are very sorry for the mistake and any issues it may have caused. Thanks for watching!
The Paris of the Middle East, we called it.
Jetsetters loved it.
What happened?
And why?
I'm half Lebanese, I'm 35 now, and my great grandfather told us stories of how you could go skiing in thr mountains then go to the beach in the same day, and how Lebanon 🇱🇧 was the jewel of the Middle East. So sad I have never been and really no point to going with the corruption and terrorism that goes on there, especially being an American
I always found this country fascinating where Muslims and Christians in large numbers get along but Israel doesn't want that. Western Christians are slaves of Jewish people but Lebanese are not which is why Israel tries to destabilize Lebanon.
They plot to make inter-faiths fight one another which have lived in harmony in Lebanon decades. They want to push this narrative that Muslims don't get along with anyone outside their faith.
I hope Lebanonese people don't fall for this trap.
what a pity..such a beautiful place in so many God given way. it could easily be another Monte Carlo, casinos, film fest, races, cruises, film sets, airline hub
……if only the corruption would disappear.
As an Israeli, I can tell you 99% of Israelis wish there was peace with Lebanon and would be happy to have peaceful relations / tourism / business / tech collaboration.
This can really transform Lebanon overnight but unfortunately politics won’t let it happen..
@5:34 The narrator suggests these people gather to hear the words of the Lord….regrettably they won't find that in a catholic church ( by in large). I'm sure there are many parishioners that truly seek the Lord, but have been duped into believing he can be found in this worldly power structure. To them I would say, find a King James Bible and a small group of like minded people and read it together…..this is your only hope in these areas. PS….stop praying to Mary …she's sleeping and can't hear you. Even if she could it doesn't matter….focus on Jesus….and Jesus alone….he is the only way into the Kingdom of Heaven !
My goodness I want to cry. My Mother’s side of the family came from this nation, it was so wealth. The Lebanese are people who stick together. This is so, so sad! God help this nation. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
So much corruption
The young must stay and try to make a difference
Beirut was so beautiful
This was the Rivera of the Middle East. So sad
and weapons, and takes care of Iran's interests before Lebanon's, nothing will change. Just like in Iraq, the elections gave a majority to Iran's opponents, but Iranian militias have been preventing a government for 12 months, and the chaos continues.
This is sad to see, i always loved Lubnan, en the ppl dont deserve this, i hope from the bottom of my heart that the country recovers soon.
Lebanon we Love you, Lot's of Respect from Pakistan!!!
The world Organizations should help lebanon comes out of this pit .
I hope American Democrats are watching this because of their belief in almighty government.
In the UK you are EXPECTED to sell everything you have of value before attending a food charity.
The public will condemn you if you have clean nice clothes and jewelery or a phone…but also need help with food.
In the UK you are EXpected to sell your possesions BEFORE asing for charity.
Crazy huh?
I always tell my students they won the lottery when they were born here in Canada.
When you have plenty of everything five months of winter doesn't seem so bad.
When you all get close to ending poverty everyone raises the prices the one's who didn't make it out get hurt while you get by I think you are using Euro's right Greece was struggling to I heard the Ukraine crisis and the African diaspora it has come to roost no one wants to be in God but say so.
I don't understand, then what are those big, lavish Lebanese wedding videos on youtube
communism destroyed the world
Unfortunately in Lebanon (and many other countries) everything is seen through the lens of religion and the result is never good. But would anyone accept a technocratic, secular government?
Prayers from 🇵🇰❤🇱🇧
The young college kid is right. Lebanon needs secularism. Religion is the prime cause of the country's problems, leaving it so divided, the government isn't strong enough or honest enough to run the country effectively and fight corruption. Democracy does not work very well if everyone votes by their religion.
This is simply terrifying.
Why other rich Arab countries like Saudi and UAE not helping them ?
"There is no law…"
Therein lies the problem. If there are no laws, or none that are respected, and if the political class is this corrupt, than there is no hope for anyone. This is what plagues humanity. No objective standard for much of the world that respects the rights of the individual. Most of the world functions in a Darwinian hell that only respects those who take what they want by force, which is intolerable.
The Beirut e x plosion and the inflation is all controlled, modern day invasion.
Trust me, this documentrary is only scratching the surface.
Hope they recover with love from America
Due to watching 2 vids that lead me down a rabbit hole, I was reminded of what happened to Lebanon. I hope the best for these people and hope their government gets reformed or taken back by the people.
All of this strife and destruction can be attributed to the Shia, Hezbollah and Amal. End of story.
Iranian backed government
And now Hezbollah will drag them into war they cant fight nor win which will land the coup de grace on the dying state and what's left of its infrastructure
Imagine your pension lump sum after life long of hard work , 300 Euros. You can't buy an iPhone for that much money let alone live out your retirement years.
Why can't Lebanon change its currency to US dollars?
Until Lebanon gets rid of Hezbollah they will forever remain in dire straits!
this is insane i am from Pakistan and every Muslim country has this one issue of having corrupt politician in govt who led there peoples down by money laundering to swiz banks. I heard golden words from Ex prime minister Imran khan about the beauty and economy of Lebanon in past and how it went down. Civilians should come out in protest and then law authorities should work on their policies by making every politician accountable and not let any person in government who's assets are already in foreign countries . Last for youngsters like me, please be brave and stand for your country, don't leave it. who are you running off ? that's your land , your people's, your country. Don't forget how Israel took over the Palestine land. Lot of Love from Pakistan. Inshallah Lebanon will rise up soon again. <3 <3
Biggest problem, there wasn't country called Lebanon in history, or Syria, or Iraq, western imposed border, and people not fit enough to run state ,,,and results not surprising!!
How much to buy the country? I can pay cash. 🤷🏻♂️
Islam… used to be prosperous for thousands of years until Islam
Why do they risk their lifes to travel to Europe?
I think Iraqi Kurdistan offers a good lifestyle, or they could go towards any country in East where ever their may find work with their skills.
Going through sea which has chance of killing you and and suppose to somehow end up in West what difference would it make as they would still be on the bottom of economic chain
I knew that they were having tough time but this Documentary opened my eyes , Thanks DW for bringing the truth forward unbiased
What can you say. Corrupt and greedy people dominate. In any country. I hope the young generation of ALL faiths unite and show their fathers and grandfathers how to live in a fair world. Young people are the hope for the future. Inshallah
11:00 shes gucchi sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh