Lebanon to start paying cash aid to poor families next month
ABC News
Lebanon’s government says it will start paying cash assistance next month to hundreds of thousands of poor families in U.S. dollars as the small nation sinks deeper in its economic crisis
BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s government said Thursday it will start paying cash assistance next month to hundreds of thousands of poor families - in U.S. dollars - as the small nation sinks deeper into its economic crisis. Some 500,000 families will start receiving $20 a month for every family member up to a maximum of six persons, Minister of Tourism and Social Affairs Ramzi Moucharafieh said during a news conference in Beirut. Moucharafieh said the payment will be made in U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Lebanese pounds at the black market rate. Economy and Trade Minister Raoul Nehme said the average payment for every family is expected to be about $93. The move comes at a time when the government is planning to end subsidies on vital products such as fuel and some medicines that is widely expected to increase prices of most products. The plan for payments comes as the Lebanese currency has been on a free fall since the economic meltdown began in October 2019.More Related News