Lebanon (MNN) — Officials from Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan have signed a deal to supply electricity to Lebanon. Jordan will produce the power and send it through Syria to Lebanon. The World Bank will fund the project.
In Beirut, some people have access to four or five hours of electricity per day. In rural areas, people may have only one hour. Wissam Nasrallah with LSESD (The Lebanese Society for Educational and Social development) says, “At first, it was hard. But then you have to reorganize your life and your schedule around these power outages, and just adapt to a new reality and a new normal.”
Long-term change
Critics of the deal say it will do nothing to solve the long-term infrastructure problems of Lebanon’s power grid. Nasrallah says, “These deals are probably good for a temporary fix. But again, there is a lot of geopolitics around these deals. Whatever pipeline comes from Egypt, or electrical lines from Jordan, they’ll have to pass through Syria. Syria is still unstable.”
Many have turned to solar power as a way to ease Lebanon’s electricity shortages. The country has some of the highest solar energy potential in the world, with sunny skies throughout most of the year.
Many Lebanese houses and businesses have already purchased solar installations, less expensive than running generators. Solar equipment has become one of the most demanded imports into the country.
How to pray
Meanwhile, LSESD continues to spread the love of Jesus through aid and education. They operate two inclusive schools and provide help to children and refugees. Nasrallah says, “These are the prayers we need: to not lose hope, to keep on going, to keep sharing the love of Christ around us, and to be the hope in the midst of this darkness.”
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Pray parliamentary elections this spring could bring some change to Lebanon’s situation. Nasrallah says, “But also pray for those who are in positions of leadership, that they may make the right decisions for the people for the country long-term, and not for some private interest.”
Header photos courtesy of Pexels on Pixabay.
