Beirut Disaster Aid
Donation protected
Friends and family –
To say we are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken by the catastrophe in Beirut yesterday, August 4, 2020 is a gross understatement. As Lebanese expatriates, Lebanon holds a very special place in our hearts as we have borne witness to its beauty, cultural richness, impressive diversity, and the idea that people of different religions, traditions, social prerogatives, and worldviews can co-exist in peace and security. Growing up, trips to the homeland always left us with a feeling of excitement and anticipation for great days ahead as they picked up the pieces from a devastating civil war and looked forward to the prosperous future that the Lebanese people deserve.
Sadly, we have seen this dream dashed time and time again over the years culminating in the social, economic, and political collapse that has characterized the last several months, now tragically exacerbated substantially by the explosion at Beirut’s port that has shattered Lebanon. Let us paint the picture for you:
- Lebanon has already been in the throes of social upheaval since October 2019 in a revolutionary effort to overthrow a corrupt, dysfunctional regime of political elites that are responsible for theft of billions of dollars in public funds, institutionalized electoral fraud, and gross unaccountability plaguing the state over the last three decades at the expense of the Lebanese citizen.
- An unprecedented financial and banking crisis that has bankrupted the state, and more importantly wiped out the savings and retirement of ordinary citizens.
- Hyperinflation of the national currently that has lost over 80% of its value over the course of months, casting over half the population officially into poverty.
- Rampant unemployment as the collapse of the economy has forced the closure of businesses, brought tourism to a halt, and has led to a shortage of hard currency.
- A shortage of food, medicine, and everyday staples that threatens to start a famine unseen since the early 1900s.
- A lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity, now provided to citizens for only 3-4 hours a day leaving the shortfall to be supplied by private generators that are polluting the air and can hardly fill the gap due to the lack of fuel to power them.
- Threat of closure of regionally respected medical centers throughout the country, even in midst of the global pandemic, with the American University Hospital recently firing a quarter of its staff.
- The hosting of almost TWO MILLION Syrian and Palestinian refugees in a country of 6 million which has stressed the infrastructure to a breaking point.
- Not to mention the global coronavirus pandemic and rising case numbers the country has been witnessing over the past few weeks.
This explosion – which was the result of the detonation of 2,750 tons of explosive material stored in the port sending a massive shockwave almost 10km from the blast site - adds yet more heartbreak:
- Over 100 souls are dead.
- Countless missing persons with recovery efforts hampered by the lack of equipment and expertise.
- Greater than 5,000 injuries are reported.
- Over 300,000 people are homeless due to destruction of their property.
- Estimates of up to $3-5 billion in damage to the city of Beirut and complete destruction of the country’s major seaport (in a country that imports 80% of its needs).
- Broken hearts and spirits throughout the country.
While blame is rightfully placed on the Lebanese authorities, past and present, for permitting massive amounts of explosive materials to be stored unsecured amongst major civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas – the Lebanese people desperate need help. Reforms are clearly necessary but given the circumstances these can never happen if we don’t provide urgently needed funds now.
We have identified several independent, reputable, non-sectarian, non-governmental and accountable organizations and individuals that are working hard to provide medical care, food, shelter, and comfort to those affected who we can trust to deliver at this very difficult moment. We are hoping to raise $10,000 in the next 24 hours to help provide these much-needed provisions as soon as possible to help the Lebanese get past this tragic, horrific, calamity.
Please join us as we hope, pray, and most importantly work towards a better future for Lebanon, that can stand proudly as an example of everything humanity and modern civilization should stand for.
Rami and Natalie are Lebanese expats living in Los Angeles. Natalie was born and raised in Beirut and immigrated to the US. We are raising funds for those in Beirut who have been injured and/or unhoused as a result of the explosion. We do not have a direct relationship to the parties that we're raising funds for, other than being Lebanese compatriots. Our funds will be sent via direct donation to families in need, whether it be by paying their hospital bills, or purchasing food, we have trusted human rights advocates on the ground who we will be sending the funds to via wire who will then use the funds directly in support of the injured and unhoused by providing housing, food, and paying hospital bills.
To say we are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken by the catastrophe in Beirut yesterday, August 4, 2020 is a gross understatement. As Lebanese expatriates, Lebanon holds a very special place in our hearts as we have borne witness to its beauty, cultural richness, impressive diversity, and the idea that people of different religions, traditions, social prerogatives, and worldviews can co-exist in peace and security. Growing up, trips to the homeland always left us with a feeling of excitement and anticipation for great days ahead as they picked up the pieces from a devastating civil war and looked forward to the prosperous future that the Lebanese people deserve.
Sadly, we have seen this dream dashed time and time again over the years culminating in the social, economic, and political collapse that has characterized the last several months, now tragically exacerbated substantially by the explosion at Beirut’s port that has shattered Lebanon. Let us paint the picture for you:
- Lebanon has already been in the throes of social upheaval since October 2019 in a revolutionary effort to overthrow a corrupt, dysfunctional regime of political elites that are responsible for theft of billions of dollars in public funds, institutionalized electoral fraud, and gross unaccountability plaguing the state over the last three decades at the expense of the Lebanese citizen.
- An unprecedented financial and banking crisis that has bankrupted the state, and more importantly wiped out the savings and retirement of ordinary citizens.
- Hyperinflation of the national currently that has lost over 80% of its value over the course of months, casting over half the population officially into poverty.
- Rampant unemployment as the collapse of the economy has forced the closure of businesses, brought tourism to a halt, and has led to a shortage of hard currency.
- A shortage of food, medicine, and everyday staples that threatens to start a famine unseen since the early 1900s.
- A lack of basic infrastructure such as electricity, now provided to citizens for only 3-4 hours a day leaving the shortfall to be supplied by private generators that are polluting the air and can hardly fill the gap due to the lack of fuel to power them.
- Threat of closure of regionally respected medical centers throughout the country, even in midst of the global pandemic, with the American University Hospital recently firing a quarter of its staff.
- The hosting of almost TWO MILLION Syrian and Palestinian refugees in a country of 6 million which has stressed the infrastructure to a breaking point.
- Not to mention the global coronavirus pandemic and rising case numbers the country has been witnessing over the past few weeks.
This explosion – which was the result of the detonation of 2,750 tons of explosive material stored in the port sending a massive shockwave almost 10km from the blast site - adds yet more heartbreak:
- Over 100 souls are dead.
- Countless missing persons with recovery efforts hampered by the lack of equipment and expertise.
- Greater than 5,000 injuries are reported.
- Over 300,000 people are homeless due to destruction of their property.
- Estimates of up to $3-5 billion in damage to the city of Beirut and complete destruction of the country’s major seaport (in a country that imports 80% of its needs).
- Broken hearts and spirits throughout the country.
While blame is rightfully placed on the Lebanese authorities, past and present, for permitting massive amounts of explosive materials to be stored unsecured amongst major civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas – the Lebanese people desperate need help. Reforms are clearly necessary but given the circumstances these can never happen if we don’t provide urgently needed funds now.
We have identified several independent, reputable, non-sectarian, non-governmental and accountable organizations and individuals that are working hard to provide medical care, food, shelter, and comfort to those affected who we can trust to deliver at this very difficult moment. We are hoping to raise $10,000 in the next 24 hours to help provide these much-needed provisions as soon as possible to help the Lebanese get past this tragic, horrific, calamity.
Please join us as we hope, pray, and most importantly work towards a better future for Lebanon, that can stand proudly as an example of everything humanity and modern civilization should stand for.
Rami and Natalie are Lebanese expats living in Los Angeles. Natalie was born and raised in Beirut and immigrated to the US. We are raising funds for those in Beirut who have been injured and/or unhoused as a result of the explosion. We do not have a direct relationship to the parties that we're raising funds for, other than being Lebanese compatriots. Our funds will be sent via direct donation to families in need, whether it be by paying their hospital bills, or purchasing food, we have trusted human rights advocates on the ground who we will be sending the funds to via wire who will then use the funds directly in support of the injured and unhoused by providing housing, food, and paying hospital bills.
Organizer
Natalie Samarjian
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
