A study prepared by the United Nations Social and Economic Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) revealed that the proportion of poor people in Lebanon's population doubled, reaching 55% in 2020, from 28% in 2019, in addition to a three-fold increase in the percentage of those suffering from extreme poverty from 8 to 23 % During the same period.

According to news agencies, the study prepared by ESCWA stated that the massive explosion in the Beirut port, and the rapid increase in the number of coronavirus infections, are paralyzing Lebanon, which is already suffering from the effects of interlocking shocks that exhausted its economy and caused an unprecedented jump in poverty rates.

The study indicated that the total number of poor Lebanese has become more than 2.7 million people, according to the highest poverty line (meaning the number of people living on less than $ 14 a day), and that in practice this means a significant erosion of the middle class, and a decrease in the proportion of middle-income people to less From 40% of the population.

She emphasized that the wealthy category is not immune to shocks, as it has shrunk to a third of its size as well, from 15% in 2019 to 5% in 2020.

ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti called for the establishment of a national fund for community solidarity, stressing that this matter is an urgent necessity to address the humanitarian crisis and reduce the poverty gap in Lebanon, calling also on international donors to direct support towards ensuring food and health security and enhancing social protection.

Commenting on the study, Dashti said, "Solidarity is necessary according to the study, as Lebanon records the highest levels of disparity in the distribution of wealth in the Arab region and the world. In 2019, the wealth of the richest 10% amounted to approximately 70% of the total personal wealth estimated to be worth." At about $ 232.2 billion.

ESCWA is one of the five regional committees of the United Nations, and it works to support comprehensive and sustainable economic and social development in the Arab countries, and to promote regional integration. It is based in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.