Lebanon (MNN) — Another emergency surfaces in Lebanon, a nation already plagued by political deadlock, failing infrastructure, and a penniless economy.
Worsening water scarcity is “one more on top of seven or eight crises that are going on in that country,” Heart for Lebanon’s Tom Atema says.
“Lebanon had snow this winter, and they’ve had rain, but not enough to take care of the water deficit.”
The national power grid barely functions; without power, there’s no water supply system. More about that here. Farmers struggle to grow food in fertile southern Lebanon without access to water.
Challenges surge as the growing season begins.
“Specifically, in the Bekaa Valley, irrigation will be limited. They (authorities) might be rationing water to like two days a week to the farmers [and] that will have some impact on the yield per crop,” Atema says.
“When you have [fewer crops], it will drive prices up. And if you have to import it (food), prices are going up. Lebanon already has high prices, so now you’re putting another strain on the people living at or below the poverty line.”
(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)
Ask God to give wisdom and discernment to Heart for Lebanon leaders. They may need to restart old programs if water scarcity worsens further.
“We had, in years past, a water ministry in southern Lebanon. We provided water tanks and water purification systems, but then Lebanon got pretty good at supplying water” to its citizens, eliminating the need for their program, Atema says.
Today, “we’re in investigative mode [to see] if we need to reestablish that part of our ministry. We’ll see what happens in the weeks ahead.”
Heart for Lebanon offers holistic and unconditional physical aid, which builds relationships. These friendships often lead to Gospel opportunities. Connect with Heart for Lebanon here to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’s name.
“In the middle of all this despair, our answer is Jesus because He can change a life. He’ll make your life better because you’ll become better at life,” Atema says.
Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.
