Lebanese expats taking essential supplies back home as crisis deepens - Action News
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Lebanese expats taking essential supplies back home as crisis deepens

Lebanese living abroad are organizing to take essential supplies into the country as basic medications become impossible to find amid the deepening economic crisis.

Suitcases packed with medication, masks, powdered milk and diapers

From left, Julnar Doueik, Charbel Elia and Patrick Rmeily will fly to Beirut later this week, carrying six suitcases filled with medications and essential supplies that have become near impossible to find in Lebanon. (Michelle Ghoussoub/CBC)

In a sunny apartment in Vancouver's West End, three friends systematically pack six suitcases with what lookslike the contents of a drug store.

Dozens of bottles of aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medications, stacks of medical masks, boxes of powdered milk, diapersand boxes of sanitary napkins are packed and documented, with items moved around like a high-stakes game of Tetris.

Charbel Elia, Patrick RmeilyandJulnar Doueikwill be taking the suitcases to Beirut later in the week, where they'll be donated to grassroots organizations.

Luggage brimming with medication has becomea common sight in the living rooms and kitchens of Lebanese living around the worldas people pack what they can for friends and relatives in their home country, which is in the grip of an economic crisis.

Eliasaid it was a message from a friend in Lebanon, a mother with two children, that prompted him to get involved.

"She was telling me, 'I can't afford milk for my kids.'She has two kids, one-year old and two-years old, and she's making what's worth $20 a month. I said to [my friends]:'I need to get her milk.'"

For over a year, Lebanon has been living througheconomic disaster.Its currency, the Lebanese pound, is devaluing at an alarming rate,making local salaries nearly worthless. Hyperinflation, widespread shortages, political gridlock, rampant corruption and theexplosion that ripped through Beirut in August 2020 have only plunged the country further into despair.

Lebanese living abroad have fielded messages from family and friends asking for basic items. Some commercial airlines have increased the baggage allowance for flights into Lebanon, recognizing that people are bringing crucial supplies to family members.

Over-the-counter medications, powdered milk, sanitary pads and diapers are among the supplies being brought to Lebanon, which will be distributed to grassroots organizations. (Michelle Ghoussoub/CBC)

"There's a catastrophe going on in Lebanon," said Rmeily, whose Vancouver apartment has looked like a makeshift pharmacy for weeks as the friends collected the cargo.

"People were no longer able to get medication because we import everything in U.S. dollars and everything is being dealt with in the Lebanese pound, so the buying capacity is down They can't buy anythinganymoreit's out of stock or it's not in the market."

The contents of the suitcases arevalued at around $4,000, raised through donations from friends and co-workers since the one-year anniversary of the Beirut blast.

The explosion that tore apart Beirut's port last August added to Lebannon's problems, which include hyperinflation, widespread shortages, political gridlock and rampant corruption. (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)

Mobilizing the diaspora

Since a 15-yearcivil war ended in 1990, droves of Lebanese have left the country, fleeing waves of crisis and seeking opportunity elsewhere. There are around 14 millionLebanese living abroad compared to around five million in the country itself and now, they are organizing.

Doueik is a member of the United Diaspora, a network of Lebanese in 35cities around the world, with Canadian branches in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

The groupworks to create change in Lebanon from abroad, and is now focused on registering Lebanese outside of the country to vote in upcoming elections.

"We were forced to be expats and we have a duty to actually do whatever we can to support the people back home, and maybe one day return and live there with dignity and respect," said Doueik.

The three friends now face a long flight to Beirut, worried all the while that airport security will deem the bags suspicious, or that Lebanese authorities will confiscate them upon arrival. Still, they said, they have to try.

"Hopefully, every time a Lebanese goes and fills a suitcase or two, it could make a huge difference in a few families' lives. I know that this is only going to be such a small thing, but it makes you wish like you could do it for everyone," said Rmeily.

"Those are your people. It's your homeland no matter what, it remains your homeland."

But there are other supplies that can't be shipped through a checked bag, like prescriptionmedication and cancer treatments. Lebanon is also facing fuel and electricity shortages, and United Diaspora is working to ship solar panels to help keep the lights on.

"People say 'You live abroad, you should feel better about your situation.' Nomy family lives in Lebanon, I have my mom and dad there, my sister, my nephews," said Elia.

"I'm so anxious to see it and see the new version of Lebanon that I don't know yet."