A store that sells Touch and Alfa recharge cards in Hamra. (Credit: Rasha El Fnek)
BEIRUT — Aid organizations in Lebanon reported a major drop in calls received on helplines during July, following a steep hike in telecommunications prices amid the country’s deepening economic crisis, a study conducted by the Lebanon Crisis Analytics Team found.
Here’s what we know:
• The new telecommunications prices, which came into effect on July 1, meant that all subscriptions must be paid in dollars using Banque du Liban’s Sayrafa rate, which as of Monday stands at LL27,100 to the dollar.
• The study, which is supported by the United States Agency for International Development, stated that the inability of many residents “to afford basic communication and internet access will continue to pose challenges to aid actors’ community outreach activities and case management, notably for those with protection concerns.”
• Moreover, “increased obstacles to reaching out to different institutions’ hotlines will have ramifications for beneficiaries seeking to report abuse, corruption and fraud,” the report added.
• The telecommunication sector’s leaders considered the new pricing scheme to be a necessary step, due to the depreciation of the lira against the US dollar on the parallel market and substantial increases in the cost of fuel, used to provide telecommunication services, as the country has suffered an unprecedented economic crisis since October 2019.
• According to the study, international NGO Mercy Corps “received more than 70 percent fewer calls and requests — including via WhatsApp — on its hotline” in July than in previous months. Another example is The Danish Refugee Council whose aid actors “reported a noticeable drop in calls to program hotlines,” notably those focusing on gender based violence.