It is with great heartbreak that we learnt of the explosion in Beirut which killed over 100 people and wounded thousands and left over 300,000 homeless. Lebanon has suffered multiple waves of conflict and disaster. A drawn-out civil war, followed by years of conflict with her neighbours, has been compounded by the strain on resources caused by the Syrian war and an influx of refugees.
Damage is extensive, with the blast shattering windows, knocking down doors and shaking buildings. Hospitals are amongst the hundreds of buildings damaged and uninhabitable, impacting the city’s ability to manage casualties.
Tuesday’s explosion came at a time when the country is already gripped by an economic crisis and reeling from the impacts of COVID-19. With many people stranded or without shelter during a deadly pandemic, and the existing strain on resources caused by war, turmoil and an influx of refugees, the situation is dire.
The Caritas network is on the ground in Beirut, doing what it can to alleviate suffering by delivering:-
- emergency food and water
- hygiene kits including masks and soap
- material for shelter repairs and the clean-up of debris
- medication and other health services
- counselling support for many traumatised people.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Beirut and the Lebanese community here in Australia at this time of enormous heartbreak and loss.
pdf Click here to download 'A Prayer for Lebanon' (166 KB)
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