Beirut Port Explosions August 2020
On 4 August, a warehouse at the Beirut Port exploded, causing widespread casualties and material damage. National and international search and rescue teams and disaster management experts have been dispatched to support ongoing emergency efforts. Initial reports indicate more than 135 people were killed, and an additional 5,000 people were injured. Scores more remain missing. Widespread structural damage was reported at the port and surrounding commercial and residential neighborhoods. Multiple health facilities sustained damages. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with casualties, with many intensive care units (ICUs) already near capacity due to COVID-19. The Government of Lebanon estimates that the explosions have left more than 300,000 people homeless in the Greater Beirut area. The United Nations is mobilizing assistance to support the ongoing government-led emergency response. (OCHA, 5 Aug 2020)
How can the private sector help
The Beirut Port explosions created significant immediate humanitarian needs and severe long-term consequences. A comprehensive, effective response to this emergency requires three phases of activity to quickly transition from humanitarian relief into recovery, reconstruction and eventually longer-term economic recovery. A humanitarian Flash Appeal focusing on the first phase and the early parts of the second phase of the responses (with financial requirements of USD 565 million) was issued on August 14th.
Contribute Financially
You can make a direct contribution to humanitarian responders and initiatives on the ground, including to:
- The Lebanese Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.lb
- Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (CBPF): https://crisisrelief.un.org/urgent-help-needed-for-lebanon
- Global Compact Network Lebanon (GCNL): https://www.globalcompact-lebanon.org/donate
In-kind and Service Support
For businesses wishing to contribute to the relief efforts by providing in-kind goods or services, please write to ocha-ers-ps@un.org
Contributions to Longer-term Recovery
The United Nations encourage donors to support activities that allow the local private sector to “get back in business” as soon as possible. For more information please contact: Rony Gedeon | rony.gedeon@un.org; Vito Intini | vito.intini@undp.org
Commercial Offers
If your offer is commercial in nature, please refer to the UN Global Marketplace www.ungm.org
For more detailed information on how the private sector can support please view the UN Business Guide on Beirut Port Explosions.