Since 2019, Lebanon has been through one of the worst economic crisis in modern history and is still collapsing day-by-day with no end in sight. The Lebanese pound has lost 98% of its value, ranking the country as the third highest inflation rate in the world (according to a new World Bank report).
The Lebanese have lost most of their savings to the banks. They are struggling to meet basic needs such as food, electricity and fuel. Hospitals are in deep trouble between the lack of electricity, difficulties in buying medicine and keeping their health workers as these are leaving the country in search of a better life. Meanwhile, patients are barely able to pay for their healthcare and medicine (when these are available).
As a result, many families have attempted to leave the country by sea, mainly from North Lebanon, putting their lives at risk.

Ségolène Ragu is a French-Lebanese photojournalist based between Paris and Beirut.
She focuses on societal issues and conflict consequences in Lebanon. After a work experience in cultural desk-research and in the audiovisual field, she studied documentary photojournalism at EMI-Cfd in Paris. She co-founded sillages collective and is part of Diversify Photo’s Up Next photographers.