Biking for Beirut
Donation protected
What’s happening:
On August 4, 2020, over 2,700 pounds of Ammonium Nitrate exploded in the Port of Beirut, killing at least 200 people, wounding thousands, and leaving 300,000 people homeless.
The Port of Beirut served as an economic lifeline for the country, and the surrounding neighborhoods that were the hardest-hit (Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, Karantina, and Achrafieh) were major social and cultural hubs for the country. The cost of the damages is estimated between nearly $15 billion.
It is hard to overstate just how bad a time this has come at for the Lebanese. The country is currently battling:
- A collapsing political system wrought with corruption
- A deep economic/banking crisis that has caused the local currency (Lira) to depreciate in value by 80% since October, resulting in the third-highest inflation rate in the world and bank restrictions that have limited the Lebanese access to their own savings
- Power cuts lasting up to 20 hours per day, prompting some hospitals to turn off their air conditioning units and postpone surgeries
- Unemployment estimated at 40%
- A recent spike in COVID-19 cases
- A refugee crisis from the bordering Syrian Conflict that has left Lebanon with the highest per capita refugee population in the world, more than double the next country
Now, the Lebanese are forced to rebuild their capital city, but there is little money left in the country to support the effort. The $15,000 that we hope to raise is a very, very small piece of what will be needed to support the reconstruction process. However, our intention is to mobilize our communities here in the West, spread awareness of Lebanon’s need for humanitarian aid, and to raise what we can. We are raising money for the Lebanese Red Cross, Baytna Baytak, and Egna Legna.
Who we're supporting:
- The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) is an independent organization focused on disaster prevention and relief. It is the main provider of ambulances in Lebanon, and relies on volunteers. The LRC was central to treating people injured in the nationwide protests that started in October last year and the coronavirus pandemic this year, as well as treating and transporting people following the explosion. Its services are provided for free to those who need them.
- Baytna Baytak is a social initiative launched by young, dynamic, and independent Lebanese individuals. Their mission was primarily to secure housing for healthcare professionals working at the forefront of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In the wake of the tragic Beirut blast, Baytna Baytak has shifted its priority to relocating displaced individuals who have lost their homes to the blast.
- Egna Legna Besidet is a non-religious, non-political, community-based, feminist organization working on migrant domestic workers’ issues and general women’s issues in Lebanon and Ethiopia. They are currently supporting domestic workers of all nationalities that have been effected by the explosion by providing medical support, food, shelter, and clothing.
Who we are:
Aidan, Gabby, Katie and Mariel lived in Beirut in the fall of 2019. Aidan Salamone is a recent Stanford graduate (class of ‘19) who spent the fall studying Arabic at Saifi Institute. Gabby Conforti and Katie Jonsson are current Stanford students (class of ‘22) and Mariel Povolny is a current McGill student (class of '21); all three spent the fall studying History and Political Science at the American University of Beirut.
Our months in Beirut were incredibly formative, academically, personally, and professionally. We want to give back to the vibrant and wonderful city that is Beirut.
We will never understand the pain that the Lebanese are experiencing, nor the depths of their despair, as they are forced to rebuild their homes and their livelihoods while burying family and friends. Our hope is that raising money to support their rebuilding efforts will alleviate a tiny portion of their devastation.
We will be biking 280 miles total, the equivalent of biking up Lebanon's coastline and back down on the weekend of September 4 to raise money for the three aforementioned organizations. September 4 marks one month after the explosion.
Transparency:
As soon as we finish biking all 280 miles, we will close the Go Fund Me page and split the money equally between the three organizations.
On August 4, 2020, over 2,700 pounds of Ammonium Nitrate exploded in the Port of Beirut, killing at least 200 people, wounding thousands, and leaving 300,000 people homeless.
The Port of Beirut served as an economic lifeline for the country, and the surrounding neighborhoods that were the hardest-hit (Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, Karantina, and Achrafieh) were major social and cultural hubs for the country. The cost of the damages is estimated between nearly $15 billion.
It is hard to overstate just how bad a time this has come at for the Lebanese. The country is currently battling:
- A collapsing political system wrought with corruption
- A deep economic/banking crisis that has caused the local currency (Lira) to depreciate in value by 80% since October, resulting in the third-highest inflation rate in the world and bank restrictions that have limited the Lebanese access to their own savings
- Power cuts lasting up to 20 hours per day, prompting some hospitals to turn off their air conditioning units and postpone surgeries
- Unemployment estimated at 40%
- A recent spike in COVID-19 cases
- A refugee crisis from the bordering Syrian Conflict that has left Lebanon with the highest per capita refugee population in the world, more than double the next country
Now, the Lebanese are forced to rebuild their capital city, but there is little money left in the country to support the effort. The $15,000 that we hope to raise is a very, very small piece of what will be needed to support the reconstruction process. However, our intention is to mobilize our communities here in the West, spread awareness of Lebanon’s need for humanitarian aid, and to raise what we can. We are raising money for the Lebanese Red Cross, Baytna Baytak, and Egna Legna.
Who we're supporting:
- The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) is an independent organization focused on disaster prevention and relief. It is the main provider of ambulances in Lebanon, and relies on volunteers. The LRC was central to treating people injured in the nationwide protests that started in October last year and the coronavirus pandemic this year, as well as treating and transporting people following the explosion. Its services are provided for free to those who need them.
- Baytna Baytak is a social initiative launched by young, dynamic, and independent Lebanese individuals. Their mission was primarily to secure housing for healthcare professionals working at the forefront of the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In the wake of the tragic Beirut blast, Baytna Baytak has shifted its priority to relocating displaced individuals who have lost their homes to the blast.
- Egna Legna Besidet is a non-religious, non-political, community-based, feminist organization working on migrant domestic workers’ issues and general women’s issues in Lebanon and Ethiopia. They are currently supporting domestic workers of all nationalities that have been effected by the explosion by providing medical support, food, shelter, and clothing.
Who we are:
Aidan, Gabby, Katie and Mariel lived in Beirut in the fall of 2019. Aidan Salamone is a recent Stanford graduate (class of ‘19) who spent the fall studying Arabic at Saifi Institute. Gabby Conforti and Katie Jonsson are current Stanford students (class of ‘22) and Mariel Povolny is a current McGill student (class of '21); all three spent the fall studying History and Political Science at the American University of Beirut.
Our months in Beirut were incredibly formative, academically, personally, and professionally. We want to give back to the vibrant and wonderful city that is Beirut.
We will never understand the pain that the Lebanese are experiencing, nor the depths of their despair, as they are forced to rebuild their homes and their livelihoods while burying family and friends. Our hope is that raising money to support their rebuilding efforts will alleviate a tiny portion of their devastation.
We will be biking 280 miles total, the equivalent of biking up Lebanon's coastline and back down on the weekend of September 4 to raise money for the three aforementioned organizations. September 4 marks one month after the explosion.
Transparency:
As soon as we finish biking all 280 miles, we will close the Go Fund Me page and split the money equally between the three organizations.
Fundraising team (4)
Gabby Conforti
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Aidan Salamone
Team member
Katie Jonsson
Team member
Mariel Povolny
Team member