Achrafieh, Beirut - Emergency Relief Fund
Donation protected
On August 4, 2020, Beirut, Lebanon suffered the 3rd largest known explosion in history behind Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was felt more than 150 miles away. The blast has killed at least 220 people that we know of so far, and injured over 7,000. At least 300,000 people are now newly homeless after the blast. According to a NY Times article from 8/8/20, about 1 in 10 people in Beirut lack shelter due to the blast. Collective damages in Beirut amount to at least $15 Billion USD. These numbers will likely be surpassed as more information is collected and made available. With the destruction of the port -- access to food, basic necessities, and medical supplies are all scarce. It is a particularly tragic moment for Lebanon -- in the wake of unprecedented financial disaster with worsening poverty (now more than 65% of the population), famine, and the covid-19 pandemic.
This fundraiser is dedicated to my family and their neighbors of the Achrafieh district, which have been devastated by the blast. When we were finally able to reach my immediate family, we were so relieved to hear that they were safe and not significantly harmed (which is certainly not true for many of their neighbors). However, we were heartbroken to find out that their homes were destroyed, and they are left without the means or resources to rebuild. No help from the government. No insurance. The Lebanese people are left to somehow clean up and start rebuilding on their own. It has been absolutely remarkable to see people of Beirut come together- opening their homes, organizing volunteer cleanup crews, setting up donation drives, and raising money to do what the government is neglecting to do. On top of that, it has warmed our hearts to see people spread awareness all around the world. However, despite this, Beirut still desperately needs help. We cannot standby without doing our part for our family, our people, and our country.
While the efforts and funds raised by ImpactLebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross, and other NGOs provide much needed aid during this time, the magnitude of the tragedy spreads their resources thin. There are significant delays before funds actually reach the people in smaller neighborhoods.
This is why I've started this GoFundMe. In hopes of quickly raising money, directly to the people of my home neighborhood, helping them start to slowly rebuild -- in a place where an otherwise capable government would step in, in a place that deserves so much more than this, and in a place where our hearts and homes are broken but our people refuse to surrender.
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Thank you so much for reading/sharing our story and keeping us in your thoughts. Any amount immensely helps and the proceeds will go directly towards the people most in need.
We will continue to keep this page updated to show how/where your generous support is being utilized.
Sincerely,
George & Peter Sayde
This fundraiser is dedicated to my family and their neighbors of the Achrafieh district, which have been devastated by the blast. When we were finally able to reach my immediate family, we were so relieved to hear that they were safe and not significantly harmed (which is certainly not true for many of their neighbors). However, we were heartbroken to find out that their homes were destroyed, and they are left without the means or resources to rebuild. No help from the government. No insurance. The Lebanese people are left to somehow clean up and start rebuilding on their own. It has been absolutely remarkable to see people of Beirut come together- opening their homes, organizing volunteer cleanup crews, setting up donation drives, and raising money to do what the government is neglecting to do. On top of that, it has warmed our hearts to see people spread awareness all around the world. However, despite this, Beirut still desperately needs help. We cannot standby without doing our part for our family, our people, and our country.
While the efforts and funds raised by ImpactLebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross, and other NGOs provide much needed aid during this time, the magnitude of the tragedy spreads their resources thin. There are significant delays before funds actually reach the people in smaller neighborhoods.
This is why I've started this GoFundMe. In hopes of quickly raising money, directly to the people of my home neighborhood, helping them start to slowly rebuild -- in a place where an otherwise capable government would step in, in a place that deserves so much more than this, and in a place where our hearts and homes are broken but our people refuse to surrender.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Thank you so much for reading/sharing our story and keeping us in your thoughts. Any amount immensely helps and the proceeds will go directly towards the people most in need.
We will continue to keep this page updated to show how/where your generous support is being utilized.
Sincerely,
George & Peter Sayde
Organizer
George Sayde
Organizer
New Orleans, LA