Lebanon Emergency Appeal: Save a Life Today is targeting RM300,000 to aid people affected by a factory explosion at the Beirut Port. The campaign will begin on 7th August and end 31st August 2020. In a few weeks, the in-country supply of basic goods, food items, raw materials, and medications will run dangerously low as many suppliers had their stock in warehouses at the port. Thus, the initial response will focus on distributing ready to eat meals, essential non-food items (NFIs), hygiene kits, health assistance, generator fuel for health facilities, and rubble clearance.

On 4th August 2020, a catastrophic factory explosion crushed Beirut.​

When the warehouse containing large quantities of ammonium nitrate exploded at the Beirut Port, the subsequent blast caused widespread destruction to areas more than 20 kilometers from the port area.

The blast caused catastrophic damage to the city’s infrastructure, including buildings storing a large amount of imported goods stored at the port (including food, medical supplies, and PPE items), as well as a wheat warehouse that could hold 130,000 tons of wheat flour that was secured for 6 million residents (citizens and refugees).

Debris from the explosions obstructed efforts to assist victims. As of 6 August 2020, at least 135 people are reported dead, more than 5,000 injured and hundreds are still missing with more than 300,000 individuals rendered homeless due to the explosion. More than 1.5 million people have been affected in the capital.

Beirut was already on the brink of economic collapse when the explosion struck​

As of now, 4 hospitals have stopped working. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe economic crisis, the explosion further devastated Beirut’s public and private hospitals. With ICUs already at capacity with COVID-19 patients, the hospitals are now also overwhelmed with casualties. Many patients have been treated in makeshift conditions, including on pavements and in car parks.

Islamic Relief’s Response​

Islamic Relief’s team in Lebabon is currently contributing to clearing debris in affected streets and public areas, as well as distributing emergency food packs to patients and staff in hospitals treating people wounded by the explosion. We urgently need funds to support the initial response to this emergency including food, NFIs including hygiene kits, medical consumables and generator fuel for health facilities, and clearance of debris.

* Please be informed that Islamic Relief Malaysia is in the midst of renewing our Tax Exemption status. Hence, all donations are not eligible for Tax Exemption receipt. We appreciate your continuous support and apologise for any inconvenience caused.