Social & Economic Action for Lebanon, Inc.

The Beirut Project has partnered with SEAL to start a donation campaign for Beirut relief efforts and have pledged to personally match donations sent to us. We have already matched $100,000 in donations. 

All proceeds will go to SEAL’s Beirut Emergency Fund. SEAL is a Lebanese American non-profit and non-political organization focused on taking action against the severe social and economic problems facing post-war Lebanon’s underserved communities. As a result of the recent disaster, SEAL has partnered with numerous organizations including LIFE, LebNet, Impact Lebanon, and Lebanon Foundation in order to raise an Emergency Fund. The money will be used to support local organizations and provide relief assistance.

This campaign is organized by the Lebanese Club at MIT and the MIT Arab Alumni Association. All proceedings collected will go to the Beirut Emergency Fund, launched by SEAL, which you can learn more about here .

The Beirut Emergency Fund's disbursement of the funds will be strictly governed with full transparency about recipient organizations. To date the following NGOs have been selected:  AlGhina,  Arcenciel,  Beit El Baraka,  Lebanon Needs,  Lebanese Red Cross,  Nusaned and Offre Joie. Additional ones are currently in the vetting process and we will be regularly updating the list.

On August 4th a colossal explosion struck Lebanon’s capital of Beirut. The blast was said to be a fifth of the size of the one which devastated Hiroshima. The blast killed more than 150 people and injured thousands with rescue workers continuing to comb the debris for survivors. At hospitals across the city, people had been waiting for hours for updates of loved ones who were missing or were injured. “Calling my parents to check up on them was my first instinct and every ring waiting for them to answer felt like an eternity, only to find out that my mother had been hurt. My world stopped.” Adil, a student abroad said. The impact coursed through all of the capital and destroyed complete neighborhoods. About 300,000 people were immediately displaced. Families have been forced to seek temporary shelter. According to local sources, as many as 500,000 people may need assistance with basic needs such as food, water, and shelter. The explosion also brought up concerns about Lebanon’s ability to secure vital goods with its main port destroyed and its vast reliance on imports. The governor of Beirut mentioned that the explosion has resulted in an estimated $3 to 5 Billion worth of damages. “I have no house, the ceiling came down and I don’t know where to go, I really don’t know how we will recover from this. For me, this is the end” Mohammad, a business owner said.

This disaster could not come at a worse time as Lebanon was already on the brink of collapse and has seen the rate of COVID-19 infections increase over the last few weeks. Unemployment rates are soaring and the country’s poverty rate is reaching 50%. Unfortunately, the prospect of rebuilding at a time when banks are imposing capital controls is frightening to those whose homes and businesses are destroyed. In response, we are trying to raise awareness on the situation Lebanon is facing and its crucial need for international aid. Many NGOs are driving emergency relief efforts by providing shelter and reconstruction support, food and essentials, and psychological support to vulnerable families. These organizations, however, require financial assistance to be able to undergo their support to the community. 


Lebanon needs your prayers and altruism!

The catastrophic explosion that took place in the port area of the Lebanese capital city, Beirut, on Tuesday August 4th 2020 led to more than 200 deaths, 5,000+ injured, and 300,000 displaced individuals.  As a result of the explosion, the Port of Beirut is now completely decimated, the grain silos that hold 85% of the country's wheat supply have been wiped out, and homes and properties have been destroyed within a 6-mile blast radius of the explosion. 

As Lebanese-Americans, we have many family members whose homes and livelihoods are based there, so this hits particularly close to home. Beyond our personal connection, this is a national tragedy that deserves global attention and support.  Lebanon is facing a humanitarian disaster on top of a pandemic and multiple intersecting crises ranging from economic and political to energy and public health crises. We call upon our communities to act in solidarity with Lebanon by contributing to the Beirut Emergency Fund through SEAL USA (Social and Economic Action for Lebanon, https://www.seal-usa.org), an NYC-based organization that distributes funds to multiple NGOs (nonprofits) in Lebanon. Please consider that SEAL is designated as a US charitable organization and, therefore, your donations to the Beirut Emergency Fund are eligible for 501c3 tax exemption. 

While many of us may be facing hardships of our own due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the protests over racial inequality and rampant racial injustices, we are asking you as colleagues, friends, family, and fellow humanitarians to act in solidarity with the Lebanese people by contributing what you can.  As a THANK YOU,  you will be sent a surprise gift created by international artists in honor of Lebanon designed for this cause. After you donate via this GoFundMe page, you will receive an email with the link to your special surprise in a few weeks.

Please continue to spread awareness and share this fundraiser with others if you cannot donate at this time!

For photos of the aftermath, please visit: https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2020/08/photos-aftermath-beirut-explosion/614968/