Poverty in Lebanon drives deadly migrant tragedy
STORY: Tripoli. A city where Lebanon’s richest politicians live – and the poorest residents once again mourn their dead.
Among them, taxi driver Mustafa Misto, and his three young children.
Their bodies were found off Syria’s coast on Thursday (September 22) after they left Lebanon on a migrant boat carrying over 100 people.
Lebanese transport minister Ali Hamie told Reuters 95 people died in the accident, including 24 children and 31 women.
This voyage marks the deadliest of its kind from Lebanon, where despair is forcing more and more people to attempt the perilous journey on overcrowded boats to seek a better life.
Misto embarked on his ill-fated journey to Europe after falling heavily in debt.
Relatives and neighbours say he sold his car and his mother’s gold to feed his family, yet still could not afford simple things, like cheese for his children’s sandwiches.
His cousin Rawane El Maneh said that while everyone knows they may die at sea, some bank on hope:
“They went with hope, not to die, but to renew their lives. Now they are in a new life. I hope it's much better than this one here. I still can't understand why this happened, I really can't get my mind around it. I really wish they made it and were able to secure a good life, the life they were dreaming of."
The tragedy highlights the soaring poverty levels in northern Lebanon, which has caused people to take desperate measures- three years into the country’s financial collapse.
While many of Lebanon’s sectarian leaders have spent money in their communities, Tripoli residents say their town has been neglected, despite being home to a number of ultra-rich politicians.
El Maneh voiced anger at Najib Mikati, Lebanon's billionaire tycoon prime minister.
“We're in a country where politicians just suck up money, talk, and have no regard for what people need.”
Lebanon's second city with a population of roughly half a million, Tripoli was already the country’s poorest before the financial crisis – due to decades of corruption and bad governance overseen by elites.
Experts say the city has seen no major development efforts since the 1975-90 civil war.
Mikati's office denies all charges of neglect, however.
In a statement it said the tycoon's charitable foundations had long been among the city's biggest supporters.
