Beirut Blast Investigations facing a blockage
A glimpse of hope in the beginning of the year
Months on and no clue in sight. Photo credit: Daily Star.
New Update
Recently, the FBI released a report claiming that only 500 tons of Ammonium Nitrate had exploded, negating earlier claims that 2700 tons of the substance was responsible for all the damages in Beirut. As such, it compliments many chemical expert’s claims. If the records were true about such a number, then where did the remaining 2200 tons disappear to? There is no doubt that such a chemical compound can be used for military purposes such as creating a bomb. So who might be invested in getting his hands on the substance. The scenario is indeed suspicious, especially when last week an ex-military photographer, Joseph Bejjani, who filmed events surrounding troop deployments at the port, was assassinated. Hopefully the coming 2021 will bring with it the answers people need to here.
Humanitarian Update
The Lebanese Red Cross released a report claiming that up until now, 9,800 vulnerable families who were affected by the Beirut Port Explosion had received the first round of direct financial assistance. The LRC committed to provide direct financial assistance of 300 USD per months, for a period of 7 months, to at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable affected families. Of course, such an assistance is not intended to repair homes. It is meant to help the families address their priority needs such as food, medication, winterization and healthcare. Until the 15th of November 2020, LRC had received a total of 27.1 million USD of which 80% were spent to respond to the crisis. The other 20% will be directed to addressing COVID-19 pandemic and to sustain the vital free services that are provided to the population across Lebanon, mainly ambulance services and blood transfusion services.
Miracles Do Exist
One of the victims of the Beirut blast, after five months in a coma situation, Liliane Sheito finally woke up from her long slumber on the 1st January. There is no doubt that this is impeccable timing, especially when she is a mother to an infant. Now, she can return to the loving embrace of her family.
Yet, she is still in the recovery stage so far; she has regained 80% of her consciousness. Nevertheless, according to her doctors, this is indeed a miracle.
On social media, Lebanese activists expressed their happiness over the improvement of Lilliane's condition, wishing her a speedy recovery, and her return to her family, her husband and her infant son, hoping that the year 2021 will bring happier news to Lebanon and them alike