A large blast in the Lebanese capital of Beirut has killed at least 70 people and injured more than 4,000, the health minister says.
This morning, the head of the Lebanese Red Cross, George Kettana, said that some victims are still trapped under rubble, and over 100 people are still missing, according to Beirut governor Marwan Abboud.
An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the explosion, but officials are blaming highly explosive materials – 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate – which were stored in a warehouse by the city’s port for six years.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said it was a catastrophe, and that those responsible must be held accountable.
Many buildings have been destroyed and hospitals are overflowing, with a severe shortage of medical supplies. Hospitals in the country were already struggling with supplies due to the economic crisis, and according to reports, many medical goods were being held near the site of the explosion and have been destroyed.
Here are some ways you can help those affected…
Donate
The tragedy has occurred at a terrible time for Lebanon, which is facing political unrest, the collapse of its currency, economic crisis and the fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic. All of this means it’s much more difficult to get emergency aide, and disaster relief groups need money and resources urgently. Here are some you can donate to:
When donating through the Lebanese Red Cross’s site, you’ll be asked whether you want to donate nationally or locally. Here’s what to do for those choosing the ‘local’ option:
Here are some local NGOs and fundraisers to donate to:
Spread awareness
Share links to donation pages on social media so that others know how they can help.
People in the country are also sharing photos of their missing loved ones on social media. Though you may not be in the area, you may know someone who is, or have them as a friend on social media. Share the Instagram page @locatevictimsbeirut, which been set up to try to locate people in the aftermath of the blast.
Similarly, a Twitter thread has been started which lists people offering places to stay for those who have been rendered homeless by the tragedy. There is a map of shelters, too.
Many are posting Twitter threads with what you can do to help and they’re being constantly updated, so keep checking back for updates.
Give blood
If you are in the area or you know someone who is, use this Carrd.co page to find a list of places who urgently need blood donations.
Learn
Another Carrd.co page has been created to help educate about the struggles Lebanon is facing. It’s a helpful resource on ‘things you can do to help educate yourself about Lebanon’s crisis and bring more attention and help Lebanon’.