The economic crisis in Lebanon, the worst since the end of the civil war, is hitting the population hard. "This is only the beginning," says Raymond Nora, a former computer engineer, at the microphone of Europe 1. Sensing the crisis coming, he left his job in Beirut to join Tanourine, his native village. He took back a plot from his uncle to plant vegetables and fruits, raise a few chickens and pigs: enough to meet the needs of his family.
In Beirut, the price of milk has quadrupled
In the city, the prices of basic necessities are exploding and pushing hundreds of Lebanese into poverty. In Beirut, the price of milk has quadrupled, a kilo of meat can reach 60 euros: prices inaccessible for the Lebanese middle class. So like Raymond Nora, many city dwellers prefer to leave the capital and the seaside, the most populated areas, for the countryside. A rural exodus coupled with a return to the land, the only way for many to feed themselves without breaking the bank.
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A few weeks ago, Raymond Nora created a Facebook page for agricultural mutual aid. More than 53,000 people follow it today. "We hoped to convince a few people to start and casually we keep on progressing. Many people now create mutual aid networks. We share seeds, sometimes transport. Distress is feared, but the fact of Rolling up your sleeves already gives a good dose of optimism. "
He believes a lot in these new short circuits to feed all those who fall into poverty. With the crisis, more than one in three Lebanese lives below the poverty line.