Beirut port after explosion which has damaged thousands of homes and buildings

Lebanon: Beirut Explosion Appeal

The devastating blast is set to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the country. Help support vulnerable people at risk of hunger.

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Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless following the blast in the port of Beirut. We're urgently assessing the need for shelter and emergency supplies.

The catastrophic explosion has sent shockwaves through Beirut, killing 154 people and injuring 5,000 people. 250 people are still reported to be missing. Lebanon is in the middle of a pandemic and an economic crisis – this disaster could send the country to the brink. 

"The country's hospitals warn they are overwhelmed by the Covid-19 outbreak as they struggle with funding problems, power outages and a serious lack of personal protective equipment," says Chiara Saccardi, Action Against Hunger's Middle East Regional Head. 

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The current situation in Beirut 

Health 

  • Hospitals and primary care centres in the region have suffered serious damage
  • A warehouse where all the country's vaccines and medicines are kept has also incurred serious damage
  • There is an urgent need for medical staff, mobile medical units and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers
  • Mental health support is a priority for those affected by the blast and those who may be suffering from the trauma of the explosion

Shelter

  • 300,000 people have been left homeless following the explosion
  • Access to emergency food and shelter is urgently needed
  • Collective shelter such as schools are being considered, but are limited because of physical distancing measures put in place for the coronavirus pandemic

Food and livelihoods

  • 80% of food cargos would be received in the Beirut port destroyed by the blast
  • Lebanon has approximately six weeks' supply of wheat left
  • Requests have been made for a supply of food parcels

Water, sanitation and hygiene

  • Water services in the neighbourhoods closest to the explosion have been heavily affected
  • Households have been affected in all areas but particularly in Karantina and Bourj Hamoud districts, where there is a need for water tank and wastewater connections
  • Urgent need for distribution of drinking water, hygiene kits and disinfection items

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300,000 people
left homeless and in need of food and shelter

While Action Against Hunger offices in Beirut suffered damage, we're relieved that our teams in the country are safe.

We're urgently working with other international organisations to identify humanitarian needs in the country and to implement our response as soon as possible.

With your help we can:

  • Support families who have been left homeless or sustained damage to their homes.  
  • Provide hygiene kits and clean water to communities closest to the explosion.
  • Keep providing mental health support to those who have been affected by this incident. 
  • Provide cash assistance for emergency food for vulnerable people at risk of hunger. 

We will keep you updated on how we're helping vulnerable families cope with the destruction caused by the explosion in Beirut. 

Hundred of thousands of people in Beirut have been made homeless, now more than ever they need our help to face this new crisis.

£25 could provide emergency shelter to a family of six who have lost their home, containing a tarpaulin sheet, two polyester covers, one rope and six cotton blankets.

£50 could help pay for an emergency inflatable water tank, which holds 5,000 litres of water.

£110 may provide chlorine for safe drinking water for more than 800 people for up to forty days.  

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Beirut left in rubble after explosion in the port
Beirut left in rubble after explosion in the port

Beirut explosion

Help vulnerable families who have been left homeless.

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