The U.N. is warning over three-quarters of households in Lebanon do not have enough food or money to buy food, as the social, political and economic crises continue to spiral. The devastating recession and inflation have led the currency to plunge by 90%, forcing over half the population into poverty and facing major food and fuel shortages. The World Bank is calling the situation in Lebanon one of the worst economic depressions of modern history. The European Union threatened sanctions last month if the country’s leaders could not quickly form a new government and enact reforms. Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who resigned from his premiership following the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut last August, issued another dire warning this week.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab: “I call on the United Nations, all international agencies, the international community and worldwide public opinion to help save the Lebanese people from dying and prevent the demise of Lebanon. Lebanon is a few days away from the social explosion. The Lebanese are facing this dark fate alone.”