On August 4, a massive explosion destroyed the port of Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. Official reports have placed the toll at over 130 and over 5,000 people are injured. These numbers are likely to continue to rise. The explosion devastated entire neighborhoods in the city. Hospitals have sustained heavy damage, and they are overwhelmed with the number of people now needing medical help – unable to treat everyone.

The Beirut emergency adds to what is already a terrible crisis for Lebanon. The country is experiencing an economic collapse and a surge in Covid-19 cases as well as the complex challenges of the Syrian refugee crisis.

Malteser International is working closely with its long-term partner the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM) Order to provide relief to those affected. The immediate focus is on saving lives:

• Two mobile medical units are providing medical care to the sick and wounded.

• An Order of Malta hospital, located in the city center, has received numerous injured people and is providing life-saving medical care.
• Some 200 volunteers from the Order of Malta are helping to clear away rubble and make homes habitable again.

• On Friday, August 7, Malteser International deployed an emergency relief team from Germany to support its relief operations in Lebanon. They will improve the medical care and the logistics for medicine, food and hygiene products.

The Order of Malta’s work in Lebanon

The Order of Malta has been active in Lebanon for over 40 years. Since the start of the Syrian war, 1.5 million Syrians have fled to Lebanon. Along with Palestinian refugees, they make up one third of the population of Lebanon.

Malteser International has been providing humanitarian aid in cooperation with the Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta in Lebanon since the summer of 2014. Together, they work to improve medical care for both refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon.
The current crisis will have long term impacts for the country. The people face a long, difficult road ahead.

Malteser International is appealing for donations to save lives right now and help people recover.

USA:

Malteser International Americas Charitable contributions can be made online at www.orderofmaltarelief.org or by sending a check to: Malteser International Americas 1011 First Avenue, Suite 1322 New York, NY 10022 USA Malteser International Americas is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible

Europe:

Donation accounts: Malteser International Europe Account number: 20 20 270
IBAN: DE7437060193 0002020270
S.W.I.F.T./BIC: GENODED1PAX
(Pax Bank Cologne)
www.malteser-international.org

Lebanese Association of Knights of Malta
Account number: 001.6312950
IBAN EUR: CH78 0865 7001 0B97 6560 8 SWIFT: UBPGCHGG
Union Bancaire Privée 96-98 Rue du Rhône,1211 Genève
Association Libanaise des Chevaliers de Malte