As prices spiral, Beirut food parcels go vegan

Health and climate concerns have encouraged a rise in veganism around the world, but in Lebanon, it's becoming a necessity for some.

Volunteer group Basecamp started delivering food parcels after the devastating Beirut port blast last summer, which worsened a dire financial crisis that has driven more than half of Lebanese into poverty.

Local currency has lost 90% of its value over the past two years and continues to fall.

As prices spiral and salaries collapse, many ordinary Lebanese are struggling to buy meat and so is Basecamp.

So they've joined forces with a Lebanese vegan group, says Basecamp's Camille Madi:

"We used to prepare hot meals on a daily basis, but with time donations decreased, especially for hot meals. They became more expensive, everything that has chicken, meat, and fish is obviously becoming expensive, so today the vegan association donated 100 hot meals."

Budget cuts also forced Lebanon's military to cut meat from its meals last year.

While delivering the aid boxes in Beirut's Karantina district, which was badly hit by the explosion, members of the vegan group were also raising awareness about how vegan protein is cheaper, and can help in a failing economy.