A gruelling, four-year-long economic collapse, widely blamed on the governing elite, has left Lebanon ill-prepared for a possible war, and volunteers and local authorities are scrambling to fill the gap with limited means,, AFP reports.

“We are the first line of defence, yet we have no equipment to protect ourselves,” Anis Abla, who heads the civil defence in south Lebanon’s Marjayoun area, told AFP from his office, a container located less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from the Israeli border.

“If war erupts, we might not be able to secure enough water for our trucks or other basics like food,” he added.

Opinion

Editorial

Shifting climate tone
Updated 08 May, 2026

Shifting climate tone

Our financial system is geared towards short-term, risk-averse lending, while climate adaptation and green infrastructure require patient, long-term capital.
Honour and impunity
08 May, 2026

Honour and impunity

THE Sindh Assembly’s discussion on karo-kari this week reminds us of the enduring nature of ‘honour’ killings...
No real change
08 May, 2026

No real change

THE Indian sports ministry’s move to allow Pakistani players and teams to participate in multilateral events ...
A breakthrough?
07 May, 2026

A breakthrough?

The whole world would welcome an end to this pointless war.
Missed opportunity
07 May, 2026

Missed opportunity

A BIG opportunity to industrialise Pakistan has just passed us by. This has been reconfirmed by the investment...
Punishing dissent
07 May, 2026

Punishing dissent

THE Sindh government’s treatment of the Aurat March this week was a disgraceful assault on democratic rights. What...