March Crisis Update
Key Takeaways: The Lebanese pound’s (LBP) value against the US dollar (USD) declined in March, largely over concerns about how long Circular 161 will remain in force and multiple probes targeting the banking sector locally and internationally. Investigations into the...
Mercy Corps CEO visit to Lebanon
Lebanon is an incredibly beautiful, dynamic and diverse country that has faced enormous challenges in recent years. Now, the situation is worsening due to the ripple effects from the war in Ukraine. In the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon – about 30 kilometers East of Beirut —...
HORECA Market Linkages
To facilitate market linkages and enhance networking opportunities, Mercy Corps Lebanon supported five Small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in the latest edition of HORECA Connects 2022. Throughout the three-day exhibition, the SMEs showcased their...
Humanitarian Impact of Ukraine Conflict on Lebanon
Lebanon faces significant fallout from the Ukraine conflict due to potential grain shortages and the economic impact of higher commodity prices - in particular fuel - when it can least afford it. Mired in one of the largest economic contractions in history, the...
Cash assistance is critical for communities recovering from crises
With a cash grant from Mercy Corps, Andy repaired his music shop after it was destroyed by the explosion in Beirut. No one could have anticipated the catastrophe that struck Lebanon in August 2020. It was an ordinary Tuesday evening when an explosion rocked Beirut,...
February Crisis Update
Key Takeaways: The Lebanese Pound (LBP) was relatively stable throughout February after rebounding in January. It is unclear whether the Central Bank will be able to maintain the rate, especially in the face of declining reserves and a rising trade imbalance driven in...
January Crisis Update
Key Takeaways: In an unexpected development, the Central Bank intervened in the currency market to stabilize the Lebanese Pound (LBP), which recovered from a low of LBP 33,000 to one US dollar (USD) on January 11, to about LBP 20,000 by the end of the month. The...
November/December Crisis Update
Key Takeaways: The Lebanese lira continued to experience significant depreciation during the final two months of 2021, pushing towards 30,000 and further reducing the purchasing power of the population, driving many more towards a dependence on humanitarian assistance...
How a small business owner is breaking gender norms
Safa Masri improved her business with training and support from Mercy Corps in Tripoli, Lebanon. On a bustling street in the east of Tripoli, Lebanon, customers who enter Safa Masri’s bake shop are greeted with the sweet smell of desserts. Cake pops, cookies,...
Social Capital in the Wake of Disaster
A massive, unprecedented explosion ripped through Beirut at 6:08 p.m. on August 4, 2020. The detonation at the capital city’s port left 300,000 people displaced, 6,000 people wounded, and around 200 people dead. The blast, erupting amidst an economic collapse and...
