On 4 August 2020, a sudden explosion tore through the port of Beirut, Lebanon, with shock waves racing through densely populated areas. Over 200 people lost their lives, and more than 6,500 people were injured.
Homes and businesses were flattened to the ground, windows shattered, and doors knocked down. An estimated 74,000 homes were damaged and 300,000 people were left homeless.
Across the city of Beirut, neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble by the blast, along with hospitals and crucial stores containing around 85% of the country’s grain and medical supplies.
We raised £944,173 since this appeal launched in August 2020.
We reached 16,307 people or 3,447 households
Thanks to your support our local partners Basmeh & Zeitooneh, Mouvement Social and Association Najdeh have been responding in the following ways:
Areas Reached: Beirut, West and Central Bekka, Nahr-el Bared Camp
Total Number of People/Households Reached: 16,307 people or 3,447 households including households affected by the blast; Syrian refugees and Palestinian IDPs
*Note: some households received more than one assistance package
Read our blog marking one year on from the blast.One year on from the blast, we continue to work with local partners to provide essential support to those most severely affected.
As the country has sunk further into severe economic collapse and struggled with an onslaught of coronavirus cases, half the population faced difficulty feeding their families or were unable to access essentials including basic medicines.
One year on from the blast, we continue to work with local partners to provide essential support to those most severely affected.
As the country has sunk further into severe economic collapse and struggled with an onslaught of coronavirus cases, half the population faced difficulty feeding their families or were unable to access essentials including basic medicines.
Lebanon’s poorest face a deepening economic, political and health crises. Over half of the Lebanese population are now living in poverty, with the most vulnerable-refugees, migrant workers, children and elderly bearing the brunt.
Fadi Halisso is co-director of Christian Aid partner Basmeh & Zeitooneh, founded in 2012 to serve Syrian refugees in Lebanon, which now finds itself helping Lebanese citizens as well as Syrian refugees. He explains:
We are overwhelmed...recently we’ve received requests from an average of 10,000 families a month, for food and basic hygiene items. Before, it was rare to find Lebanese families asking for help with such basic needs. Now, even households who were managing before are hurting.
He received cash support from Christian Aid’s partner Association Najdeh in Beirut, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, which allowed him to buy essential food and helped pay his rent. But his children are still traumatised.
Majid said: “I was able to pay part of the rent of my house that was accumulating and I was able to buy food for a week at a time that was difficult for me to buy food for 1 day due to the difficult economic situation.”
Christian Aid partner organisation Basmeh & Zeitouneh volunteers cleaning the rubble and broken glass in the houses caused by the explosion.
Volunteers and staff from Association Najdeh providing food parcels to vulnerable families.
Vera Nakkour, 70, lives with her son and grandson in her home just 300 metres from the port. She compares life now to the Civil War, where she lost her husband. Her youngest child was only one week old at the time. The blast is a stark reminder of those difficult times.
Vera no longer works and relies on support from her eldest son, who struggles with a family of his own to look after.
Recognised as extremely vulnerable, Vera received cash assistance from our partner Association Najdeh which she used to buy food and medicines for herself, her children and grandchildren.
What I lived through in the Civil War with my children, I live it again now with my grandchildren. He (her grandson) is traumatized now and when he hears a loud noise, he gets terrified.
God, our refuge in times of trouble
we pray for our brothers and sisters in Beirut today.
Lord, be with the emergency services as they battle to help the thousands injured.
Lord, hold those who have lost loved ones in the palm of your hand.
Lord, we pray your provision for poor and marginalised communities who face an even more uncertain future.
Lord, we pray for wisdom for leaders as they make difficult decisions.
Lord, open our hearts - may they be full of compassion for the suffering we see.
Stir us to action.
In the tragedy of loss,
we pray your comfort.
In the chaos and injury,
we pray your calm and divine healing.
In the devastation and the heartbreak,
we pray your peace.
We pray that in the despair that lies amid the rubble of the explosion
there will be glimmers of hope and life.
