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BEIRUT—In the wake of the huge explosion that devastated giant components of the Lebanese capital, a brand new hazard is stalking the struggling nation: starvation.
The early August blast, which killed greater than 150 folks and displaced a whole lot of 1000’s from their houses, destroyed the grain silos storing most of the nation’s wheat provides and badly broken the ocean port via which 85% of its meals imports arrive.
The destruction additionally threatens to deepen an financial downturn in Lebanon that has already despatched unemployment hovering, sparked runaway inflation and led to an 80% depreciation of the native foreign money, the Lebanese pound.
“I just want to drop dead,” mentioned Mohammad Munzir, 48 years outdated, who needed to shut his perfume and toy retailer final yr as a result of of the tanking economic system. “The country is frozen after the explosion.”
Even earlier than the disaster, Mr. Munzir was struggling to feed his 5 youngsters. On some nights, he mentioned, household dinner is a single can of fava beans shared among the many complete family. Mr. Munzir mentioned he has misplaced 44 kilos over the previous yr, as his revenue has shrunk amid the financial disaster.
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