o matter how many times we hear stories of people gambling their lives to flee Lebanon by sea, they never become easier to hear.
In recent days, Lebanese authorities from the army’s naval forces arrested approximately 50 people who tried escaping Lebanon by boat. Six died, one of whom was a little girl. The army released an official statement on April 24, explaining that the boat sank while trying to illegally smuggle people out of Lebanon. Funeral processions were held in the northern city of Tripoli where the victims originated from. An official day of mourning for the dead was declared by the Prime Minister Najib Mikati on April 25, with Lebanese flags at all government buildings being flown at half-staff out of respect for those who perished trying to escape a country that, for many of its citizens, has become a hell.
Survivors blamed the Lebanese navy for the loss of life, saying the ship sunk because a naval vessel rammed them to force it back to shore. One survivor explained to the Associated Press that the military first ordered the vessel to remove course. When the ship refused to do so, “They rammed into us and made us sink then moved away.”
Despite the dangers, Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar heard from survivors that they would not hesitate to try to escape again if presented with the opportunity. It is better to escape and drown than to live in a country that does not respect its citizens, where we starve every day," one person had expressed.
Politicians’ talk about “honoring” the dead and those who suffer doesn’t seem to ring true. As far back as 2011 Mikati, who was then also Prime Minister, promised to “relieve” the people of their economic woes. He said, “We realize the size of the burden on the citizens’ shoulders. … This is why the government will set as a priority finding solutions to these problems.”
Despite more than 11 years passing since these promises the situation has gotten worse rather than better, with the gap between the rich and poor widening and over 80% of the population living in multi-dimensional poverty. This engenders a sense of desperation which led to widespread protests in October 2019. The protest movement failed to pressure the government into needed reforms, and one side effect of this growing desperation is that many are making irrational decisions, gambling with their lives in a search for dignity.
Arriving to humiliation
Europe is the top destination for people fleeing Lebanon. Often, those seeking refuge in Europe are met with hostility. In October 2021, dozens of Lebanese and Syrian refugees embarked on a desperate voyage across the Mediterranean, headed for Italy. Following a storm, their vessel needed repairs and they were invited by the Greek Hellenic Coast Guard to land at the Island of Kastellorizo to make repairs.
One refugee recounted their experience.
“They told us we were welcome and even asked if they could help us with anything.” According to witnesses, the officers’ faces were covered by black balaclavas to conceal their identities. Once close enough, the migrants were detained, with some being beaten before being released onto four life rafts – from which they were eventually picked up and rescued by a Turkish barge.
Normal people in normal circumstances would not subject themselves to these conditions. This is desperation.
New Humanitarian Projects
There is hope that this desperation that people risk their lives to escape may soon end. Saudi Arabia (KSA) and France have pledged to launch a series of humanitarian projects across Lebanon with a focus on food security and healthcare services. The newly announced plan will prioritize Tripoli and northern Lebanon-the most poverty-stricken areas.
The plan includes an investment of nearly $32 million with expectations of an increase over time. According to Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari, this is the kingdom’s way of showing solidarity with the Lebanese people and is committed to alleviating their pain. Some analysts see it as a way of the KSA trying to reform its image in the eyes of the Lebanese and in particular the Sunni community.
Either way, this program comes at a critical time. Lebanon’s situation has been deteriorating rapidly and it’s been kept afloat only with international aid – and that comes with strings attached. A better long-term solution for Lebanon is political. The country is approaching a new round of elections in May. Perhaps a new government will be more willing to address Lebanon’s economic malaise and restore a sense of national pride.
a global affairs media network
Lebanese Gamble with Their Lives in Search For Dignity
Migration by boat on the Mediterranean Sea. Illustration via Adobe Stock.
May 3, 2022
The situation of Lebanon's poor is so desperate that many are willing to gamble with their lives in a search for dignity across the Mediterranean. Help may be on the way, but systemic governance change is likely needed to address the crisis, writes Adnan Nasser.
N
o matter how many times we hear stories of people gambling their lives to flee Lebanon by sea, they never become easier to hear.
In recent days, Lebanese authorities from the army’s naval forces arrested approximately 50 people who tried escaping Lebanon by boat. Six died, one of whom was a little girl. The army released an official statement on April 24, explaining that the boat sank while trying to illegally smuggle people out of Lebanon. Funeral processions were held in the northern city of Tripoli where the victims originated from. An official day of mourning for the dead was declared by the Prime Minister Najib Mikati on April 25, with Lebanese flags at all government buildings being flown at half-staff out of respect for those who perished trying to escape a country that, for many of its citizens, has become a hell.
Survivors blamed the Lebanese navy for the loss of life, saying the ship sunk because a naval vessel rammed them to force it back to shore. One survivor explained to the Associated Press that the military first ordered the vessel to remove course. When the ship refused to do so, “They rammed into us and made us sink then moved away.”
Despite the dangers, Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar heard from survivors that they would not hesitate to try to escape again if presented with the opportunity. It is better to escape and drown than to live in a country that does not respect its citizens, where we starve every day," one person had expressed.
Politicians’ talk about “honoring” the dead and those who suffer doesn’t seem to ring true. As far back as 2011 Mikati, who was then also Prime Minister, promised to “relieve” the people of their economic woes. He said, “We realize the size of the burden on the citizens’ shoulders. … This is why the government will set as a priority finding solutions to these problems.”
Despite more than 11 years passing since these promises the situation has gotten worse rather than better, with the gap between the rich and poor widening and over 80% of the population living in multi-dimensional poverty. This engenders a sense of desperation which led to widespread protests in October 2019. The protest movement failed to pressure the government into needed reforms, and one side effect of this growing desperation is that many are making irrational decisions, gambling with their lives in a search for dignity.
Arriving to humiliation
Europe is the top destination for people fleeing Lebanon. Often, those seeking refuge in Europe are met with hostility. In October 2021, dozens of Lebanese and Syrian refugees embarked on a desperate voyage across the Mediterranean, headed for Italy. Following a storm, their vessel needed repairs and they were invited by the Greek Hellenic Coast Guard to land at the Island of Kastellorizo to make repairs.
One refugee recounted their experience.
“They told us we were welcome and even asked if they could help us with anything.” According to witnesses, the officers’ faces were covered by black balaclavas to conceal their identities. Once close enough, the migrants were detained, with some being beaten before being released onto four life rafts – from which they were eventually picked up and rescued by a Turkish barge.
Normal people in normal circumstances would not subject themselves to these conditions. This is desperation.
New Humanitarian Projects
There is hope that this desperation that people risk their lives to escape may soon end. Saudi Arabia (KSA) and France have pledged to launch a series of humanitarian projects across Lebanon with a focus on food security and healthcare services. The newly announced plan will prioritize Tripoli and northern Lebanon-the most poverty-stricken areas.
The plan includes an investment of nearly $32 million with expectations of an increase over time. According to Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed Bukhari, this is the kingdom’s way of showing solidarity with the Lebanese people and is committed to alleviating their pain. Some analysts see it as a way of the KSA trying to reform its image in the eyes of the Lebanese and in particular the Sunni community.
Either way, this program comes at a critical time. Lebanon’s situation has been deteriorating rapidly and it’s been kept afloat only with international aid – and that comes with strings attached. A better long-term solution for Lebanon is political. The country is approaching a new round of elections in May. Perhaps a new government will be more willing to address Lebanon’s economic malaise and restore a sense of national pride.
