France will attempt to raise $350 million in urgent humanitarian aid for Lebanon during the international conference that it has set to co-host with the United Nations for the cause on Wednesday.
The French Presidency stated on Monday that the conference is about providing aid to the people of Lebanon once again.
The upcoming international event will be the third held to gather aid for Lebanon since the Beirut Port Explosion last year.
“With the deterioration of the situation (…), the United Nations estimates more than 350 million dollars of new needs that need to be responded to in several fields, specifically food, education, health, and water purification,” the Presidency explained.
Lebanon is witnessing what the World Bank has deemed one of the worst economic crises since the mid-19th century.
As the Lebanese pound continues to plummet, more essential sectors are at risk of collapse.
The conference will be held virtually, under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun will be in attendance, as will representatives of around 40 countries and international organizations.
The conference represents “a good occasion” to send a clear political message to the Lebanese ruling class: “Despite the commitment of various Lebanese political leaders, Lebanon still has no government,” the French Presidency said on Monday.
On the same day, PM-designate Najib Mikati said that he would not be able to form a new government before August 4 as he was hoping to do.
His predecessor, Saad Hariri, remained in the PM-designate position for around nine months before stepping down in July, citing disagreement with President Aoun.
