Here’s How You Can Help the Victims of the Beirut, Lebanon Explosion

Photo credit: ANWAR AMRO - Getty Images
Photo credit: ANWAR AMRO - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Amid a worsening economy, food shortages, and the ongoing pandemic, Lebanon faces another crisis after the devastating explosion in Beirut on Tuesday. The blast came from 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate being stored in a warehouse against advisement from customs officials since 2013. (According to Al Jazeera, ammonium nitrate is often used as a fertilizer and is responsible for “numerous industrial explosions over the decades.”)

At minimum, the death toll is 200, more than 100 people are missing, and 5,000 have been injured. Around 300,000 homes are severely damaged, and the governor of Beirut estimated the financial impact is $3 billion. This catastrophe also wiped out silos of grains that stored nearly 85 percent of the country’s supply and decimated the Beirut port, where much of the country’s food is imported. According to Farhan Haq, a United Nations spokesperson, the explosion “will significantly exacerbate the economic and food security situation in Lebanon.”

Australia, Britain, Norway, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Cyprus, Indonesia, Hungary, Tunisia, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Russia, France, Germany, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and international organizations like the United Nations have pledged to assist in Lebanon’s relief efforts.

Here’s how you can help the massive effort underway in Lebanon as the country enters a two-week state of emergency:

Help Find the Victims

This Instagram account posts names and photos of victims who are missing and the contact info of people looking to find them. Sharing these posts and offering any leads can help survivors reunite with those who care about them.

Share Resources

Share maps of shelters and emergency housing available for those whose homes have been damaged and those who need refuge from the destruction. This map has locations of shelters in Beirut. And Twitter user @Innterstaellar threaded the information of people offering housing right now.

Donate Blood

If you’re in Lebanon or you know people who are, organizations like the Lebanese Red Cross are collecting blood donations. This site has a list of locations that need more donations.

Donate Money

  • In addition to collecting blood donations, the Lebanese Red Cross provides ambulance services to assist search and rescue operations.

  • The Lebanese Food Bank collects food donations from hotels and restaurants and distributes dry-food packages to those in need.

  • The World Food Program, which is operated by the United Nations, will help residents obtain food amid the nation’s ongoing shortage.

  • Humanity and Inclusion’s physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers are assisting with post-surgical therapy in Beirut following the explosion.

  • International Medical Corps has mobilized medical units to offer mental health care to the most vulnerable Lebanese people and Syrian refugees in the country.

  • Donations to Islamic Relief help enact a supply chain of food and emergency resources.


  • Save the Children launched a children relief fund to provide basic supplies for kids in Lebanon.

  • UNICEF donations will go toward providing vaccines, medical supplies, and drinking water in Beirut. The organization is also offering counseling to children who have been traumatized by the incident.

View this post on Instagram

Our hearts are with children and families affected by the horrific explosions in Lebanon, especially those who lost their loved ones. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured.⠀ ⠀ According to latest reports, the death toll could be as high as 100 with 4,000 wounded and over 300,000 people displaced. UNICEF is concerned that children are among the casualties and we are aware that those who survived are traumatized and under shock.⠀ ⠀ UNICEF’s team in Beirut has not been spared. One of our colleagues lost his spouse, seven of our staff were mildly injured and dozens of colleagues’ homes were damaged. Most of our staff - as are most people in Lebanon - are in a state of shock.⠀ ⠀ UNICEF is coordinating very closely with authorities and partners on the ground to respond to the needs including that of health and other front-line workers.⠀ ⠀ We have provided drinking water to staff at the Beirut port and are supporting the Ministry of Public Health to take out what is left of stored medicines and vaccines in a warehouse at the port.⠀ ⠀ Child protection partners are providing psycho-social support to affected children across the city. Over the coming days, we will increase our efforts to reach families in need with much needed assistance.⠀ ⠀ Yesterday’s catastrophe in Beirut adds to what has already been a terrible crisis for the people of Lebanon compounded by an economic collapse and a surge in COVID-19 cases. The pandemic already meant that hospitals are overwhelmed, and front-line workers are exhausted.⠀ ⠀ UNICEF confirms its commitment towards the people of Lebanon, the authorities and all partners on the ground. We will do everything possible to provide much needed assistance today and in the long run.⠀ ⠀ © UNICEF/UNI356240/Baz/AFP⠀ © UNICEF/UNI356239/Amro/AFP

A post shared by UNICEF (@unicef) on Aug 5, 2020 at 6:41am PDT

  • Project HOPE provides protective gear and medical supplies in addition to assisting authorities in Beirut.

  • Amel Association offers health and psychological services for refugees and Lebanese citizens. The nonprofit has centers in Beirut and is working to collect food and monetary donations.

  • Beit el Baraka operates a free grocery store, provides housing, and assists those in need with covering medical expenses. In response to the port explosion, Beit el Baraka is repairing homes that were damaged.

  • If you have $3,250 earmarked for donations, all proceeds from this Repossi ring engraved with the Lebanon cedar (pictured here) go to the Lebanese Red Cross. This donation is quite sizable, but if you have the resources, it’s definitely a worthy cause. Just email sales@repossi.com to get yours.

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