Six months after the resignation of the Lebanese government headed by Hassan Diab in the wake of the Aug. 4 Beirut port explosion, instability is still at center stage in Lebanon. A new government has not yet been formed and public anger is rising due to the economic situation. Meanwhile, demonstrators have been blocking roads in many Lebanese areas in protest against the deteriorating situation. 

The economic situation in Lebanon has been going downhill since August 2019 after the Lebanese currency fell in value, going from 1507.50 to 1,585 to the dollar, sparking massive nationwide protests, which were further fueled by government plans to impose taxes on fuel, tobacco and voice calls made through WhatsApp and other apps.

A report published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in February says poverty in Lebanon has exceeded 55% and unemployment has grown after 23% of the workers in the main sectors were laid off.

A study conducted by the World Food Program in August 2020 shows that food has become a main source of extreme concern for the Lebanese people. Around 49% of Lebanese respondents in the study said they were worried about not being able to put bread on the table.