A fuel shortage shuts down Lebanon’s main power plants on Friday, October 21 after running out of fuel. The Zahrani power plant was shut down Saturday and the main power, the Deir Ammar plant, was shut down Thursday. The power plants provide almost 40% of the countries electricity.

The country isn’t new to these blackouts. Lebanon hasn’t had a steady power source for its citizens for decades. Also, the shortage of diesel and fuel has worsened power cuts that have been going on for years. Power outages that lasted from three to six hours are now only allowing people to have about two hours of state power a day. Power supplies have been put in hospitals and essential services as of now. Citizens are now spending long hours and days without power.

Lebanon’s dependency on imported fuel imports has made its energy crisis worse. The country is dependent on private operators that are now struggling to get supplies while there is a crash of national currency. While Lebanon is facing a heavy economic crisis, the country is also struggling to import necessities for its citizens.

“The people need power so the government should step up,” said Sophomore Miranda Huhn.

Lebanon’s citizens are also frustrated with the government’s lack of action. There have been multiple protests that have erupted with the recent news. Angry citizens gathered around the Electricite du Liban power company to show their frustration. Many protesters also want the political elite to be removed because of corruption and negligence.

The power outage is a direct cause of Lebanon’s financial crisis. This crisis has been ongoing for the past 18 months. The lack of foreign currency has made it a struggle for the country to pay overseas energy suppliers. Throughout this year, Pharmacies have been dealing with an ongoing medicine shortage because of the financial crisis. On Friday Pharmacies closed down in protest of the power shortage. The country is also facing a water shortage, water pumping stations are powered by diesel fuel and therefore don’t have the supplies they need to work properly. The financial crisis has half the population living in poverty and causing mass protests.