As the Lebanese government continues to discuss austerity measures, the Ministry of Environment saw its funding cut following the passing of the 2019 budget on July 20, causing air monitoring stations throughout the country to be shut down even as air pollution continues to reach dangerous levels.
The national air monitoring network, which measures pollution levels in Lebanon and allows the Ministry of Environment to regulate pollutants in the air, was established over two phases starting in 2013 with the opening of five stations after Lebanon received a $1.64 million grant from Greece, with around $400,000 of that going toward the air monitoring stations.