I spent in Beirut a total of 4 years of my life - spread over a decade, as a regular resident as well as visitor on duty.  I have colleagues, friends, acquaintances and a chunk of my life memories located in Lebanon. 

As you all know, I've often been critical about the interrelated political, social, economic and environmental issues of this Country - but this is not the time to be critical.

THIS IS THE TIME TO HELP BEIRUT and its people, this is the time to be there and support a community which is facing:

- an increasingly harder economic and financial crisis undermining the preconditions for stability in an already unstable environment;

- a dangerous recent rise of CoVid-19 cases;

- the tragic explosion of Tuesday, August 4th - with about 300.000 people left homeless and  around 4000 people wounded ( (according to the Governor of Beirut).

THIS IS THE TIME TO HELP BEIRUT, because the days to come are going to be really difficult for the whole Country. Therefore I decided to donate to the Lebanese Red Cross, for the following reasons: 

- in this emergency scenario they are the ones providing first-help support: medicines, non-food items, shelter. They already requested blood donations, but from Milan I cannot help much on this.

- they are an accountable and skilled member of the International Red Cross Federation 

- I have a personal contact within the International Red Cross working in Lebanon who confirmed the need of support to provide both emergency and medical assistance.

Those are also the reasons why I've decided to ask you, my friends and family, to personally contribute supporting our Mediterranean neighbors after this tragedy. 

You can donate how much you want, and you can donate it either here or directly to the Lebanese Red Cross via their website: https://www.supportlrc.app/donate/donate.html
Doesn't matter the total amount, what counts is to help them quickly - which is why I will send them the amount received, whatever it is, not later than Wednesday, August 12th.
For accountability purposes, I'll share with every donor a proof of transfer, and I will ask my contact at the International Red Cross in Lebanon to update me - as much in detail as he can - on the way the money will be used, consequently sharing the info. 

THIS IS THE TIME TO HELP BEIRUT - Thank you for your time and effort.  

Tommy