Lebanon: Stay with Beirut
Following decades of issues at Beirut’s port, on August 4, 2020, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history pulverized the port and damaged over half the city. The explosion resulted from the detonation of tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a combustible chemical compound commonly used in agriculture as a high nitrate fertilizer, but which can also be used to manufacture explosives.
At least 218 people have been killed and 6,000 more injured in a huge explosion that shook the Lebanese capital.
The blast wounded 7,000 people, of whom at least 150 acquired a physical disability; caused untold psychological harm; and damaged 77,000 apartments, displacing over 300,000 people.
At least three children between the ages of 2 and 15 lost their lives. Thirty-one children required hospitalization, 1,000 children were injured, and 80,000 children were left without a home.
The explosion affected 163 public and private schools and rendered half of Beirut’s healthcare centres non-functional, and it impacted 56% of the private businesses in Beirut. There was extensive damage to infrastructure, including transport, energy, water supply and sanitation, and municipal services.
Prior to 4th August 2021
Lebanon was already on the brink of economic collapse and widespread poverty, due to the combined challenges of a banking crisis and COVID-19 lockdown. Socio-economic and political turmoil continue to exacerbate the situation.
To date, the Lebanese currency has lost around 80% of its value which has led to hyperinflation that has limited households’ ability to access food, medicine and other essential items
The destruction of Beirut’s port will devastate the country further as it relies heavily on imports for its essential supplies.
Islamic Relief is on the ground in Lebanon
Islamic Relief’s initial humanitarian response will focus on distributing ready-to-eat cooked meals, Covid-19 hygiene kits and supporting people in urgent need of medical assistance, who are currently sheltering in communal buildings such as schools, mosques and churches.
Our teams distributed meal packs to hospital patients and front-line medical workers, treating those who were wounded by the explosion and assisted in clean-up operations in affected communities and public spaces and deployed electrical engineers to secure dangerous hanging electrical cables.
Islamic Relief Worldwide-Lebanon office responded to the explosion, were immediately after the explosion. Islamic Relief implemented several projects in 2020 and planning to continue in implementing.
Thus far, we have reached 110 496 people by distributing 18 416 food parcels.
Islamic Relief is currently supporting 12 health centres which assists 28 350 beneficiaries.
30 728 people received hygiene kits following the explosion in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Islamic Relief assisted in the rebuilding and repair work on 485 households which assisted 1,941 beneficiaries.
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