August 4th, 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of the Beirut blast, an explosion of ammonium nitrate that was being stored in the Beirut port, resulting in the death of over 200 people and injuring thousands more. One year later, Lebanon, and the Lebanese people, are still struggling with the aftermath of the explosion, mentally, physically and politically. The BIC has been monitoring the repercussions of the explosion over the past year along with the evolving political and economic crisis in Lebanon. Lebanon is experiencing its worst economic crisis since the civil war from 1975-1990. The economic crisis, which was only exacerbated by the blast, is just one of many consequences of the negligent Lebanese politicians that continue to drive the country into worse conditions. The political instability and the revolving door of the country’s leadership further contributes to the instability, and again demonstrates the indesire to take accountability for the blast.
BIC Middle East Analyst, Elisa Cherry, notes that
“As we commemorate the victims of the blast, the lives of every Lebanese citizen were affected by this event. In many ways, the people of Lebanon are worse off than they were a year ago. The people still have zero answers, there is no accountability for the blast and people are now struggling to obtain basic goods like food, medicine and gasoline. There must be an independent, internaternationally backed investigation into the Beirut blast. The people of Lebanon have been suffering under a negligent government for a year now, and the international community must step up to bring justice to those who were affected by the blast one year ago.”
The BIC stands in solidarity with the Lebanese people and urges the international community to start an independent investigation into the explosion. The challenges that Lebanon has faced over the last year will continue if the politicians and those responsible for the explosion in the port of Beirut are not held accountable.