A catastrophic explosion and subsequent shockwave rocked Beirut, Lebanon on the 4th August, leaving the city’s only port devastated, thousands of buildings damaged and 85 percent of the country’s grain destroyed. The explosion killed more than 135 people, injured more than 5,000 and left at least 300,000 people homeless.
This image and the video below shows the destruction from the recent blast in Beirut, Lebanon. Credit for both: Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), through ACT Alliance.
A partner within the ACT Alliance coalition of faith-based organisations, JCC – Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees, gives a personal account of the blast – Sylvia (Executive Director) writes:
“On August 4, 2020, at 7 pm local time, all buildings in Beirut felt the earth shake beneath them. As I live on the 10th floor of a 12 storey building, my immediate reaction was to run down the steps as an earthquake was about to demolish my building, But seconds later a brief and sharp deafening strong blast stopped me in my tracks and sent me to the window to look up searching for Israeli planes bombing us, an experience we have had before.”
“The next morning, the horror of what had happened began to unfold. A colossal explosion had taken place at the Beirut Sea-Port which destroyed it completely. A big number of the one thousand persons who worked there had disappeared under the rubble or in the sea. The main grain silo, which holds around 85 percent of the country’s wheat was destroyed and so were many containers storing vital necessities of life such as medicines and life-sustaining equipment. All the buildings across from the port were very badly damaged including the huge building of the administrative offices of the electricity company of Lebanon.”
The picture Sylvia paints is one of chaos and destruction, and as a result, there are many people in need of the most basic supplies.
Our Rapid Response Emergency Fund allows us to respond quickly to emergencies just like this explosion, and our membership within the ACT Alliance allows us to partner with local organisations so that donations are used where they are really needed.
By donating to the Beirut, Lebanon Explosion Appeal, you will be helping to provide people impacted by the blast with shelter, food assistance, hygiene items and cash for work to help ensure that basic needs are met.
To donate to our Beirut, Lebanon Explosion Appeal, please click on the ‘Please Donate’ button below (choose ‘Rapid Response Emergency Fund’ from the ‘Donation’ drop-down menu and write ‘Lebanon’ in the message section under your payment details) or call us on 1800 249 880 and leave a message. All money will be directed towards our ACT Alliance partners in Lebanon assisting with relief activities.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque/money order made payable to Anglican Overseas Aid to:
Anglican Overseas Aid
P.O. Box 389
Abbotsford, VIC 3067