The August 4 Beirut Blast
Report #2
Reporting Period: From 27 August to 2 September, 2020
Photo: Mohamed Azakir, Reuters
Latest Updates
A UN human rights expert urged the international community to urgently step up its assistance and support to Lebanon and to international reconstruction and humanitarian agencies to prevent people throughout Lebanon from going hungry as a result of the 4 August explosion.[1]
According to a report by HOPE, Chronic disease medications, basic medicines, personal protective equipment (PPE), and medical consumables and supplies are urgently needed.[2]
The UNFPA estimates approximately 81,000 of those affected are women of reproductive age (15-49 years), including 24,000 adolescent girls. Also, it is estimated that 152,200 persons are in need of protection services. [3]
Norwegian Refugee Council warned that tens of thousands of people made homeless by the explosion in Beirut on 4 August risk being left out in the rain and cold unless aid funding is stepped up immediately.[4]
Humanitarian Response
The Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation, TBHF, launched “Salam Beirut” to repair and restore 485 homes destroyed in the Beirut explosion, which will enable 2,900 victims – 225 of which are refugees – to return to their dwellings in the next six months.[5]
ACT Alliance launched an appeal requesting 3,227,526 USD in response to the Beirut explosion.[6]
On August 24, The Humanitarian Coalition, an alliance of 12 leading Canadian charities, was successfully able to raise 9.9 million dollars for Beirut.[7]
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, launched an international fund raising appeal, Li Beirut (For Beirut in Arabic), to support the rehabilitation of schools, historic heritage buildings, museums, galleries and the creative economy.[8]
IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation finished distributing hot meals, food packets and hygiene packets to 16.000 Lebanese people during this period.[9]
Humanity & Inclusion is currently providing psychosocial sessions for those traumatized by the event. So far, it has reached 500 people.[10]
OCHA launched a ‘FLASH’ appeal worth 344.5 million USD for the sake of Beirut.[11]
The government of Canada announced that it will allocate $13.5 million of its funding in response to the explosion to UN humanitarian agencies and the Lebanese Red Cross.
The humanitarian operation A Ship for Lebanon, was launched to transport a cargo of humanitarian donations for the Lebanese people.[12]
Dubai Investments - extended its support to the country of Lebanon as part of its humanitarian intervention and in the wake of the recent Beirut incident.[13]
On the 31st of August, a second European Union (EU) Humanitarian Air bridge flight arrives to, Lebanon, delivering 12 tons of essential humanitarian supplies and medical equipment, including a mobile hospital and face masks.
[1] OCHA, August 28, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/international-community-must-support-lebanon-and-international-agencies-avert-hunger
[2] OCHA, August 28, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-beirut-explosions-situation-report-4-28-august-2020
[3] OCHA, August 28, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-beirut-port-explosions-situation-report-no-8-28-august-2020-enar
[4] NRC, https://www.nrc.no/perspectives/2020/beirut-hundreds-of-thousands-made-homeless-in-an-instant/
[5] OCHA, August 27, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/salam-beirut-restore-485-homes-rehabilitate-2900-victims
[6] https://actalliance.org/latest-news/
[7] https://www.humanitariancoalition.ca/
[8] UNESCO, August 24, 2020, https://en.unesco.org/user/login?destination=node/328313
[9] IHH, August 27, 2020, https://www.ihh.org.tr/en/news/16-bin-lubnanliya-acil-yardim
[10] Humanity and Inclusion, August 28, 2020, https://hi.org/en/news/-hi-provides-first-aid-to-500-people
[11] OCHA, August 29, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/lebanon_flash_appeal_2020_project_summary_en.pdf
[12] OCHA, August 30, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-participation-m-jean-yves-le-drian-launch-operation-ship-lebanon-marseille-25
[13] OCHA, August 31, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/dubai-investments-extends-support-lebanon-wake-recent-explosions