Beirut Blast: Lebanon Humanitarian Crisis

Lebanon, a country located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, consists of a narrow strip of territory and is one of the world’s smaller sovereign states. The massive, deadly blast that ravaged parts of Beirut, the capital city, on Tuesday, August 4th 2020 was the most devastating blow yet for a nation that has undergone trauma for decades, from malnutrition to bitter civil war, to an influx of over a million Syrian refugees, to a period of political turmoil and economic instability that has plunged most of the country’s middle class into poverty over just the past year.

A shockwave was felt over 200 kilometers away on the island of Cyprus caused by a strong explosion. At least 135 people were killed and 5,000 injured in the blast. The explosion was triggered by 2.700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse in the port of the town for six years. The official incompetence has ignited widespread public frustration, which has already been fuelled by severe economic woes over the past year.

Lebanon hosts the world’s largest number of displaced people per capita; one in five is a refugee. The vast majority are Syrians, but Lebanon also hosts a significant number of Palestinian refugees, including Syrian Palestinian refugees. Syrian refugee influx has put a great deal of pressure on Lebanese economy. Many refugees live below the poverty line and are in need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. Before the explosion on Tuesday, 75% of Lebanese were in need of aid, 33% had lost their jobs, and one million people were living below the poverty line.

Because of the explosion, the Beirut Governor estimated that up to 300,000 people have been made homeless, and that damage would reach up to USD 15 billion. Hundreds of businesses and homes were severely destroyed and livelihoods are under pressure. The blast also consumed a major wheat silo at the port, raising concerns that the country, which relies on imports and is struggling economically amid the coronavirus pandemic, could struggle to feed itself. That the severe effects of this tragedy will only add to those caused by COVID-19 and the current economic crisis in that country. 

Poverty is on the rise in Lebanon and prices for basic products have risen, exacerbating the population’s needs, including large numbers of refugees and it will take months to repair the damage at Beirut’s port. Besides that, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the health system was seriously damaged, with three hospitals out of action. Hospitals in the area have been overrun with patients, some being treated in corridors and parking lots due to lack of capacity, some were damaged and some non-functional, and that 500 beds had been lost.

To alleviate the mess, the United Nations World Food Programme sent 5,000 food packages that would feed a family of five for a month, and intended to import wheat meal and grains. The WHO has delivered emergency trauma and surgical equipment kits that contain vital medications and medical supplies, and is asking for $15 million to meet urgent needs and ensure continuity of response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN Refugee Agency which normally supports the 1,5 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon to release emergency shelter materials to all those in need and they need even more help.

Beirut is seething, Beirut is confused, Beirut has been depleted. But only one thing is certain, Beirut needs us. Let’s show our humanity, compassion, and love for relief efforts in Beirut, Lebanon. 

REFERENCES

• UNFPA. 2020. [online] Available at: <https://www.unfpa.org/data/emergencies/lebanon-humanitarian-emergency> [Accessed 13 August 2020].
• OCHA. 2020. Lebanon. [online] Available at: <https://www.unocha.org/lebanon> [Accessed 13 August 2020].
• Atlantic Council. 2020. Refugee Conditions Deteriorate Amidst Multiple Crises In Lebanon – Atlantic Council. [online] Available at: <https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/refugee-conditions-deteriorate-amidst-multiple-crises-in-lebanon/> [Accessed 13 August 2020].
• ACAPS. 2020. Socioeconomic Crisis | ACAPS. [online] Available at: <https://www.acaps.org/country/lebanon/crisis/socioeconomic-crisis> [Accessed 13 August 2020].
• ReliefWeb. 2020. Lebanon: Beirut Explosion Exacerbates Humanitarian Crisis – Lebanon. [online] Available at: <https://reliefweb.int/report/lebanon/lebanon-beirut-explosion-exacerbates-humanitarian-crisis> [Accessed 13 August 2020].
• 6. UN warns of humanitarian crisis after Beirut blast [Internet]. BBC News. 2020 [cited 14 August 2020]. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53698564

Writer: Qintaro Makitsuna Maghsri – CIMSA’s Humanitarian Response Team