The signs of state collapse manifest daily, with symptoms of deterioration worsening to threaten citizens' lives and health. Not only is treatment uncertain due to rising costs and shortages in medications and medical supplies, but health problems are increasingly emerging, such as cases of poisoning and the resurgence of dangerous diseases and epidemics that had disappeared for decades in Lebanon, like cholera and viral hepatitis (A). Additionally, the rising cases of poisoning and the declining quality of food products, particularly due to reliance on cheaper options in light of decreased purchasing power, are concerning. Furthermore, power outages threaten proper storage.
Recently, cases of chicken poisoning in restaurants have been reported, and there has been media coverage of consumer fraud, with activities related to thawing frozen chicken and selling it as fresh, or preparing it in the form of shawarma or escalope for later display in refrigerators.
These crises indicate a lack of oversight and the negligence of official entities to fulfill their duties, as they continue to shift responsibilities. Zohair Barro, President of the Consumer Protection Association, emphasizes through "Al-Markaziah" that “the corruption of foodstuffs is just one of the natural results of comprehensive collapse, much like power outages, polluted water, and cholera... Highlighting the details of this problem that the country suffers from does not lead to results nor does it serve the process of change in Lebanon.” He points out that “the country has reached a level where the state is absent, while its institutions and administrations essentially operate for the sects and serve established alliances since before the collapse phase,” reminding that “state administrations are unable to fulfill their duties and currently work at about 5% of their capabilities, if not less. Thus, the state is no longer present, and the country is under sectarian rule, while the modern concept of the state requires ridding itself of that.” He concludes by reiterating, “It is essential to address the larger issue to resolve the resulting crises. Food safety is linked to the absence of state characteristics and the failure to fulfill the necessary duties; when the fundamental problem is resolved, all its branches will also be addressed.”
