One of the Worst Non-Nuclear Explosions in the World

The August 4, 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut was classified as one of the worst non-nuclear explosions in the world. Nearly 218 people died and more than 6,500 were injured, including approximately 1,000 children. The destruction extended over more than a 3-mile radius around the port. Around 300,000 people were left without housing. About 87,519 units were damaged, including 20 government institutions, 14,848 commercial establishments, 5251 commercial companies, 991 restaurants and bars, 92 educational facilities, 14 hospitals, 25 hotels, 91 religious facilities, 62,050 housing units, of which 9,000 units became uninhabitable in addition to the damage of about 5,000 cars. More than 70,000 people lost their jobs as a result of the explosion without the possibility of finding other jobs.
The World Bank estimated losses between 6.7 and 8.1 billion US dollars, and considered that Lebanon urgently needs about 700 million dollars in aid for the year 2020 and 1.5 billion dollars for the year 2021.
Source:
MTV Lebanon, Arabic news video report.

Today, one year after the explosion and although a lot has been accomplished, many damaged units, from all sectors, were fixed; plumbing repairs were undertaken; food parcels and hot meals, were distributed; cash and in-kind support for families were donated; but needs are still great. According to a survey published recently by the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, a year after the devastating explosion in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, a staggering 98 per cent of families are still in need. Seven in ten households requested basic assistance after the explosion and almost all of those families still need support. Most of the requests were for cash assistance and food, which remains the case. Almost all families said their homes needed repairs and about half of those said this is still the case. Four in ten said their water supply system was affected by the explosion, and about a quarter of those families said this is still the case.
Sources:
Unicef, Middle East and North Africa web article
Un News web article

​The Family of Saint Sharbel is still contributing to the relief efforts and due to Lebanon’s current harsh economic crisis, medicine shortage and the Corona virus pandemic, the family has expanded its aid efforts:

​- Daily hot meals for 300 families, lunch and dinner
- 100 parcels of food for 100 families that is sufficient for one month (each month)
- The Family received 20 ventilators and supplied them to Corona virus patients
- Distribution of different medicines for patients in need
- Working to secure much needed gasoil for heating in the coming winter

Help is still desperately needed. The Family of Saint Sharbel in the US (501 c3) is calling on all who can help to consider contributing to help the people of Beirut.