Over 71% of Lebanon's Population Threatened with Lack of Access to Clean Water

The United Nations warned on Friday that more than four million people in Lebanon, including one million refugees, are at risk of losing access to clean drinking water due to the effects of funding, fuel, and supply shortages on water pumping. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) stated, "UNICEF estimates that most water pumping operations will gradually cease across the country within four to six weeks." Lebanon is experiencing an economic collapse that has pushed over half of its population into poverty, and its currency, the lira, has lost more than 90% of its value in less than two years. The financial crisis has led to severe shortages of essential goods such as fuel and medicine amid a dollar scarcity. UNICEF noted that if the public water supply system collapses, the cost of water could increase by 200% monthly when sourced from private suppliers. The UN agency indicated that it needs 40 million dollars annually to secure the minimum level of fuel, chlorine, spare parts, and maintenance necessary to keep the vital water system operational. UNICEF representative in Lebanon, Yuki Moku, was quoted in a statement saying, "Without urgent action, hospitals, schools, and vital public facilities will be unable to operate."