A year later, Beirut is still recovering from one of the most devastating explosions in recent history. August 4th marks a somber anniversary for the people of Lebanon, as the blast killed more than 190 people and injured some 6,000. Hospitals sustained heavy damage, and many other health facilities were overwhelmed with the number of people in need of medical help. The disaster also plunged some 300,000 people into sudden homelessness.

Together with our long-standing partner, the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM), Malteser International responded in the immediate aftermath of the explosion by providing medical care for the wounded and relief for people who had lost their homes.

Your generous donations have made the recovery possible. Since the after-effects of the blast were compounded by the still on-going COVID-19 pandemic, we distributed hygiene kits to affected people to prevent diseases outbreaks and to tackle the spread of COVID-19 in Beirut. Hygiene kits were distributed amongst the most vulnerable (families, elderly, children, and disabled persons) through the LAKM. To support deprived households of preventing further spread of the COVID-19 disease, the Youth of the Order of Malta distributed 500 hygiene kits containing COVID-19 sensitive items such as hand sanitizer, washable masks, soap, diapers, etc. to the neediest persons. Activities were widened by collaborating with selected parishes and organizations operating within the blast area to speed up the relief activities.

The packages were split into three categories to better respond to the populations’ needs as mentioned above. The Order collaborated with strategic partners to reach underprivileged persons which had previously been unattended to within the blast area. The Order collaborated with parishes operating in the heart of Beirut, a home for elderly located in Achrafieh and an organization operating primarily in the Nabaa area.

Months after the blast, we are still on the ground to support the recovery process, especially for the most vulnerable. If you would like to donate to these efforts, please donate here. 

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