The August 4 Beirut Blast

Under the SpotlightCovid19Communication
Written By Communication & PR Department Communication
Photo: Hassan Ammar/ AP

Photo: Hassan Ammar/ AP

Latest Updates

  • According to the latest estimates of the UNHCR, the explosion inflicted more than 200 fatalities, among which 34 are refugees. [1]

  • The United States’ FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), along with French investigators, are currently on the ground conducting investigations to ascertain the real cause of the explosion.

  • The cause of the explosion is still linked to the presence of several tons of ammonium nitrate. However, the suggested 2,750 tones is currently being disputed as being much less.[2]

  • Despite the catastrophic event, nations and INGOs from all over the world rushed to help Lebanon during these difficult times.

Humanitarian Response

  • The Lebanese Red Cross mobilized 75 ambulances, 13 blood transfusion centers, and 800 paramedics.[3]

  • United Nations Development program (UNDP), via a press release, announced its shift in direction by prioritization the restoration of livelihoods and small businesses; debris management; and access to justice for impacted vulnerable groups.[4]

  • Italy allocated 726,000 Euros, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to the Lebanese Red Cross.[5]

  • Norway pledged 45 million NOK to aid Lebanon which include medical supplies.[6]

  • Qatar Airways (QA) and Qatar Charity (QC) dispatched over 100 tons of food to Beirut.[7]

  • $35 million in emergency funds were dispatched by the UNHCR to the worst-affected by explosion, focusing on shelter and protection needs among Lebanese, refugees and migrants. [8]

  • A World Food Program (WFP) partner organization [SHEILD] distributed 400 food parcels to affected families in two of the most heavily affected neighborhoods, Quarantina and Bourj Hammoud.[9]

  • Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) in Lebanon, with funding from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) distributes food parcels to 4,759 beneficiaries at Lebanon’s Palestinian refugee camps. [10]

  • The Austrian government announced that It will allocate a further 900,000 euros to alleviate the impacts of the explosion.[11]

  • Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) deployed in Beirut in collaboration with the United Nations teams for Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) sets up a call center in Beirut for the disaster victims.[12]

  • The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) commenced disbursement of US$8.5 million from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) to provide rapid support to families affected by the devastating Beirut Port explosions.[13]

  • During his visit to Lebanon, The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, affirmed UNHCR’s immediate support to over 100,000 people who were severely affected by the blast that devastated the capital.[14]

  • Connecting Business initiative (CBi) is currently working with partners to mobilize local, national and international private sector support to the response and recovery activities orchestrated by INGOs.

  • FedEx and Direct Relief delivered more than $11 Million worth of medical supplies to Lebanon.[15]

  • UNICEF delivered 18 shipments of critical humanitarian supplies, totaling 67 tons, through two airlifts and commercial cargo routes to support children and families affected by the Beirut explosions.[16]

[1] UNHCR, https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2020/8/5f32469f4/beirut-blast-death-toll-includes-dozens-refugees-emergency-response-ramps.html

[2] Al Jazeera, August 15, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/fbi-team-heading-beirut-join-explosion-investigation-200815121311132.html

[3] OCHA, August 15, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/immediate-response-and-mobilization-teams-due-beirut-port-explosion

[4] UNDP, August 14, 2020, https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/news-centre/news/2020/UNDP_to_focus_on_inclusive_recovery_as_it_supports_Lebanon_following_the_Beirut_blast_catastrophe.html

[5] OCHA, August 15, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/italian-embassy-grants-donation-lebanese-red-cross

[6] The Norwegian Standard, August 9, 2020, https://www.thenorwegianstandard.com/article/norway-pledges-additional-45-million-kroner-in-aid-to-lebanon/909

[7] OCHA, August 16, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/qatar-charity-partners-deliver-more-100-tons-food-aid-beirut

[8] UNHCR, August 17, 2020, https://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/UNHCR%20Lebanon%20Flash%20Update%20on%20Beirut%20Explosions%20-%2017AUG20.pdf

[9] OCHA, August 18, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-humanitarian-update-following-port-explosions

[10] OCHA, August 19, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/qrcs-distributes-food-parcels-4759-beneficiaries-lebanon-s-palestinian-refugee-camps

[11] OCHA, August 19, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/austrian-government-announces-further-aid-lebanon

[12] OCHA, August 19, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/beirut-explosions-tsf-sets-call-center-disaster-victims

[13] UN, August 20, 2020, https://dppa.un.org/en/lebanon-humanitarian-fund-gives-85-million-to-support-communities-affected-beirut-blast

[14] UNHCR, August 25, 2020https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2020/8/5f45190d4/grandi-ends-lebanon-visit-call-help-country-its-hour-need.html

[15] Direct Relief, August 24, 2020, https://www.directrelief.org/2020/08/emergency-medical-airlift-arrives-in-lebanon-in-wake-of-explosion/

[16] UNICEF, August 25, 2020, https://www.unicef.org/stories/unicef-responding-destruction-lebanon

Communication & PR Department Communication
Previous

Beirut and its Churches Cry Out in Pain
Next

A Delegation from MECC Visits the Heads of the Damaged Churches in Beirut