Yesterday, we woke up to news of a huge explosion in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Social media was plastered with videos of the devastating explosion, images of blood-covered victims straggling down streets, and a heart-wrenching viral image of a nurse cradling three newborn babies she had rescued.
Tonight people in Beirut are going to sleep in shattered homes, during a deadly pandemic, with a collapsing economy led by corrupt politicians, surrounded by countries that have attacked & threatened them and a world that has abandoned them and their refugees. They deserve better
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) August 4, 2020
At the time of writing, there have been 125 recorded deaths, over 4000 injured, and up to 250,000 people left without homes.
Lebanon has been in a precarious state for a while with an economic crisis, deep political unrest amidst mass protests and revolutions, and COVID-19 devastating the nation.
The country is now on the brink of collapse, and it’s hard to watch from the other side of the world, feeling like you can’t help – but you can, at least in some ways.
While we may not be able to lend physical assistance, we can still donate – so here’s a bunch of donation links you can contribute to.
A grandmother played “Auld Lang Syne” on a piano in her home surrounded by debris and devastation following the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.
Her granddaughter said the woman was “pushing through her pain” in a moment she described as “beauty from ashes.” https://t.co/voGycIFENh pic.twitter.com/9d7rGFQyIT
— ABC News (@ABC) August 5, 2020
First Of All, Make Sure The Orgs You Donate To Transfer The Money As “Fresh” Cash
Due to the economic crisis in Lebanon, money transferred at the old exchange rate is of little value and won’t get the recipient very far at all. If you’re unsure, reach out to organisations and charities and ask them if they are donating money as “fresh” cash, so that your donation is actually making an impact.
Lebanese Red Cross
‼️As a Lebanese person: If you’re going to donate, please donate to the Lebanese Red Cross. They’re not owned by the government and aren’t corrupted. Don’t bother with petitions, they’re fucking useless. Thank you for your time.
— ? ɴᴀʟᴀ. (@nalaevus) August 4, 2020
The Lebanese Red Cross is the best place for you to be donating your money right now. You can download the Red Cross app or donate online here.
Lebanese Food Bank
The Lebanese Food Bank is taking donations to aid families all over Lebanon, buying milk and diapers for babies, distributing meals, and helping education children and families. You can donate here.
LIFE’s Emergency Relief Fund
LIFE’s Emergency Relief Fund is collecting donations that will be distributed to several NGO’s to provide medical aid, alleviate poverty and work on fixing the devastating losses of infrastructure after the blast.
They’re independent, apolitical and areligious because their goal is getting aid to all vulnerable Lebanese residents, no matter who they are. You can donate here.
Donner Sang Compter
While we can’t donate blood, we can support organisations that collect and distribute it. Donner Sang Compt was founded in 2010 and hosts blood drives while trying to raise awareness for voluntary blood donations. They cover their bases costs with monetary donations, and you can contribute here.
Medical Relief To Lebanon GoFundMe
This GoFundMe is raising money to buy and ship medical equipment to Lebanon. They are not distributing money to people on the ground, but covering the costs of necessary medical equipment. Donate here.
Lebanon needs medical equipment urgently so if any of my followers have the necessary contacts please pick up your phone right now and make that phone call.
And let them get in touch with the hospitals directly, not the government. It will be falling soon enough.
— #كلن_يعني_كلن (@joeyayoub) August 5, 2020
Check Out The Help Lebanon Site
The site Help Lebanon has compiled a list of ways you can contribute to the humanitarian effort in Lebanon, divided into sections: Crowdfunding initiatives, Education, Blood Donations and Equipment, Environmental Initiative, Protection of Domestic Workers and Food and Elderly Care.
Check out the site for a longer and more thorough list of organisations you can donate to.
If You Can’t Donate Money Right Now, Share Links And Resources
We know not everyone has the capacity to donate right now, especially during a global pandemic in a time where unemployment and job scarcity is sky rocketing – but there are other ways you can help, too.
Share resources to donate where you can, signal boost donation links and smaller GoFundMe’s, platform Lebanese people who are sharing their stories, insights and experiences, and support your local Lebanese community.
this isn’t “tHe 9/11 oF LeBaNoN”, 2977 deaths and 12 buildings lost in 9/11, Today lebanon lost 70% of their (entire) economy and literally countless deaths it’s insane how y’all are unable to measure tragedy outside the parameters of 9/11 and the white wash is showing
— hussian?? (@localbaghdaddy) August 5, 2020
Image Sources: @AymanM, @ABC, @nalaevus, @joeyayoub, @localbaghdaddy, @TheDeadDistrict
