Basics for Beirut update

On the 4th of August 2020, a year ago today, Lebanon was rocked by a massive explosion, when 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut’s port. It was the 3rd largest explosion in the world after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing catastrophic humanitarian, economic and public health crises. More than 217 people were killed and 7,000 injured. The blast displaced 300,000 people and caused widespread destruction and devastation, damaging buildings up to 20km away. Many of us had family and friends devastated by this tragedy.
Mireille Khoury, whose 15-year-old son Elias died of injuries sustained in the explosion, described the horrific events of that day to Amnesty International:
“The day of 4 August seemed like the end of the world. We thought it was just a fire… I passed out and then woke up to find my house in ruins. My daughter asked me what happened. She was injured and I was injured too. I rushed outside and found my son on the staircase injured and covered with blood… On that day, they ruined our lives,” she said
The blast caught the attention of the world, and countries scrambled to help in any way they could. The Lebanese people were begging for help.
Basics for Beirut was born in the days that followed to help coordinate efforts in Sydney, Australia assisting with immediate relief efforts by sending containers to Lebanon filled with basic supplies. The idea to send basic humanitarian aid that was bought in Australia supporting the local economy while at the same time helping the people of Lebanon. The call out for supplies and volunteers was done through social media and word of mouth and it spread from there. Basics for Beirut started as a grass roots charity that allowed people from all over Australia to help in any way they could.
The initial aim was to send one container, but the people of Australia had much bigger plans. With over 50 drop off points and generous donations coming in from all over Australia, Basic for Beirut managed to send 6 x 40-foot containers into the heart of Beirut.
All the containers have now arrived and have been distributed to the people who needed the most basics of supplies, regardless of race and religion.
A huge thank you for your very generous donations and time. None of it would have been possible without the kindness shown by people like you.
Thank you to all the corporations who stood behind us and went above and beyond in your donations.
A year on and the suffering hasn’t eased, but the people of Beirut are grateful for the generosity and kindness shown to them not only from the people of Australia but the world.