Lebanon: '47 Seconds' campaign highlights nation's ongoing food and energy crises

A Lebanese non-governmental organisation (NGO) is behind this short allegorical film to raise awareness of the sufferings of the Western Asian nation."47 seconds of helplessness. 47 seconds of agony. 47 seconds of uncertainty. Imagine 47 years," says NGO Lebanese Oil and Gas Initiative (LOGI). The country was plunged deeper into economic hardship in August 2020 when a massive explosion and fire in Beirut destroyed the capital's port and adjacent grain silos. LGOI says that it is on a mission to involve the people of Lebanon in political procedures to restore their right to power. "LOGI’s objective is to develop a network of Lebanese experts in the global energy industry and provide them with a platform to lobby Lebanese policy makers and educate Lebanese citizens on the key decisions facing the oil ,gas and energy sectors. It focuses on public awareness, policy development and advocacy to help Lebanon maximize the economic and social benefits of its oil and gas wealth, avoid the resource curse and ensure a transparent and efficient energy sector." What do you think of the emotionally charged '47 Seconds' campaign, which presents a little girl as the nation itself, weakened and sentenced to death by constant power outages in a hospital bed while her desperate father - a symbol for the Lebanese people - cries out for help that never comes? The campaign launched amid the Ukraine/Russia conflict and peace negotiations which in August 2022 saw Turkey and the United Nations sign a deal with Russia and Ukraine that would enable grains from Ukraine to be shipped to Lebanon.

Keywords: Lebanon 47 Seconds, LOGI, Lebanese oil and gas, energy and food shortages, Lebanon economy, Publicis Groupe