UNOG- Bi-weekly press briefing: Lebanon blast corruption UNDP
/
2:07
/
MP4
/
157.2 MB

Edited News | UNICEF , OCHA , UNDP

UNOG Bi-weekly press briefing: Lebanon blast corruption -UNDP

Beirut blast exposed widespread corruption and accountability deficit in Lebanon, says UNDP

The explosion at the port of Beirut on the 4th of August has resulted in deep human suffering and massive destruction to the Lebanese capital, but it has also revealed a deeper and more devastating problem the country, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): widespread and systemic corruption.

“The Beirut Port explosion is not only a humanitarian crisis, but it’s also a symptom of a much deeper and more complex governance crisis that requires dialogue and collective action. And that this crisis will not be resolved without adequate attention and direct attention to the promotion of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption”, Arkan El Seblani, chief of UNDP’s Anti-Corruption & Integrity unit for Arab States, said today (Friday) at a news briefing in Geneva.

“The cost of corruption in Lebanon is equal to 5 billion dollar a year. So, putting that number in perspective, it is about 9 percent of the country’s GDP,” El Seblani said.These findings are based in a special report on anti-corruption in Lebanon published one day ago by the magazine “Executive,” published in partnership with UNDP experts.

The 2019 Corruption Perception Index ranked Lebanon 137th out of 180 countries.

“The combination of several major governance gaps are behind the improper presence of the highly explosive materials at the warehouse of the port. Who exactly is to blame for what happened? Unfortunately, we may never know,” El Seblani said. “And this, on its own, is another example of the deep accountability deficit that I referred to earlier”.

According to El-Sablani, this deficit is also likely to have an impact on response and recovery efforts, including related international assistance. “So, leakage and embezzlement of money and goods, bribes and kickbacks in reconstruction projects, as well as political co-optation of related efforts are all real and present in the context of Lebanon”, he said.

Despite these obstacles to bringing aid to the country, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that more than 180,000 people are being reached with critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance.

Some of this aid is delivered by funding non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that can reach people in need with health supplies, food assistance, and protection projects. “OCHA has begun the disbursement of US$8.5 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to provide rapid support to families that were affected by the disaster,” spokesperson Jens Laerke.

The Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), for example, supports support five international and three local NGOs already working in Lebanon to deliver on eight projects. These include assistance to damaged primary health care centers, so that they can continue to provide essential health care, mental health support and manage the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with the provision of hot meals.

In an update on their ongoing assessments and response work in Beirut, UNICEF reported that the needs are “immense”, as many children will require urgent and sustained psychosocial support to address the trauma of the explosions.

“Half of respondents reported that children in their households were showing changes in behavior or signs of trauma or extreme stress following the explosions”,UNICEF spokesperson Marixie Mercado said. UNICEF’s needs assessment in the aftermath of the Beirut blast concluded that “these behaviours and symptoms include severe anxiety, quietness or withdrawing from parents and family, nightmares and trouble sleeping, and aggressive behaviour”, highlighting the urgent need for psychosocial support services.

  1. Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying, a beautiful day.
  2. SOUNDBITE (English) — Arkan El Seblani, Chief Technical Advisor, Anti-Corruption & Integrity, UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States: “The Beirut Port explosion is not only a humanitarian crisis, but it’s also a symptom of a much deeper and more complex governance crisis that requires dialogue and collective action. And that this crisis will not be resolved without adequate attention and direct attention to the promotion of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption”.
  3. Medium shot, journalists sitting in Press Room III, Palais des Nations.
  4. SOUNDBITE (English) — Arkan El Seblani, Chief Technical Advisor, Anti-Corruption & Integrity, UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States: “The cost of corruption in Lebanon is equal to 5 billion dollar a year. So, putting that number in perspective, it is about 9 percent of the country’s GDP”.
  5. Close up, spokesperson, Press Room III, Palais des Nations.
  6. SOUNDBITE (English) — Arkan El Seblani, Chief Technical Advisor, Anti-Corruption & Integrity, UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States: “The combination of several major governance gaps are behind the improper presence of the highly explosive materials at the warehouse of the port. Who exactly is to blame for what happened? Unfortunately, we may never know. And this, on its own, is another example of the deep accountability deficit that I referred to earlier”.
  7. Close-up, journalist typing on phone, Press Room III, Palais des Nations.
  8. SOUNDBITE (English) — Arkan El Seblani, Chief Technical Advisor, Anti-Corruption & Integrity, UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States: “So leakage and embezzlement of money and goods, bribes and kickbacks in reconstruction projects, as well as political co-optation of related efforts are all real and present in the context of Lebanon”.
  9. Close up, journalist working on laptop, Press Room, Palais des Nations.
  10. Soundbite (English) – Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “OCHA has begun the disbursement of US$8.5 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to provide rapid support to families that were affected by the disaster”.
  11. Soundbite (English) – Marixie Mercado, Spokesperson for UNICEF: “In a rapid needs assessment conducted by UNICEF and partners earlier this week, half of respondents reported that children in their households were showing changes in behavior or signs of trauma or extreme stress following the explosions. These behaviours and symptoms include severe anxiety; quietness or withdrawing from parents and family, nightmares and trouble sleeping; and aggressive behaviour”.
  12. Wide shot, journalist in front of screen in Press Room III, Palais des Nations.

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence  in Haiti

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on escalating gang violence in Haiti ENG FRA

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the UN Human Rights Office have today released a report detailing the evolution of violent gang incidents beyond the capital Port-au-Prince since October 2024 up to June 2025, and the resulting loss of life and mass displacement. 

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza Deir Al Balah killings OHCHR - WHO 11 July 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: ‘Unacceptable’ choice between getting shot or getting fed – UN humanitarians 

Following the deaths of several children in an Israeli strike on Palestinians waiting in line for nutritional supplements in central Gaza on Thursday, UN humanitarians have once again condemned the killings of people at aid distribution sites in the enclave. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya ENG FRA

At the United Nations bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made the following comments on the recent violence in Kenya.

US tariffs impact - ITC

1

1

1

Edited News | ITC

US tariffs impact - ITC ENG FRA

US tariffs uncertainty hurts world economy, with poorest countries hit hardest – top UN economist

A new US decision to further delay the end of a 90-day pause on tariffs is bad for business, a top UN economist said on Tuesday.

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza aid site horror continues as more starving people shot trying to get food

Amid intensifying hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, UN humanitarians confirmed disturbing details on Friday of continued killings and injuries of Palestinians desperately seeking food at aid sites.

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator ENG FRA

A clearer picture of needs across Iran is beginning to emerge after the conflict this month with Israel, which left hundreds dead, several hospitals hit and a spike in Afghan refugees returning home, the UN’s top official in Tehran said on Tuesday.

Heatwave update - WMO

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Heatwave update - WMO ENG FRA

The blistering early-summer heatwave that’s brought life-threatening temperatures across much of the northern hemisphere is a worrying sign of things to come, UN weather experts said on Tuesday. 

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change ENG FRA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made the following remarks to the Human Rights Council annual panel on adverse impacts of climate change.

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | WHO

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

The first meagre midweek delivery of urgently needed medical goods to enter Gaza in months will provide scant relief to the enclave’s people, who continue to be shot and killed as they search for food, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025

2

1

2

Statements , Edited News | HRC

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on Myanmar presented by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and oral update by Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNOG

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

The conflict-impacted people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) urgently need much more international assistance than they are getting today, the UN’s top aid official said on Thursday.

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNOG

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025 ENG FRA

Violence in Myanmar is spiralling as the military junta increases its attacks on monasteries, schools and camps sheltering people uprooted by the civil war, a top independent human rights investigator warned on Wednesday.