Lebanon Relief Now

My name is Jessica Kahawaty and I, like many Lebanese expats feel helpless watching my country and people drown in despair.

As many of you know, Lebanon faces an immediate emergency to house, medicate and provide essential services for its 4 million inhabitants. The country has been run down and the people had their money stolen by those in power. Today, the country is at its lowest point with no access to bread, water or electricity. I’ve been in touch with numerous people giving me live updates as households utilise 1 bucket of water amongst them. No one has gas in their cars as fuel is being withheld from civilians. Reports of people sleeping outside their homes for ventilation have circulated online as the world watches in horror. Lebanon, a country that was once vibrant is enduring a blackout both physically and emotionally. The hundreds of messages I received in the last few days from desperate youth speaking of suicide attempts, zero hope to achieve their dreams and the inability to support their sick or hungry parents have not only been devastating but a wave of anger hit me that there are free people out there responsible for creating a lost generation.

The problems have exponentially grown worse since the pandemic, revolution and the Beirut explosion on August 4th 2020 when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, recklessly stored at the heart of the Lebanese capital, was ignited. 40% of the GDP had been cut, inflation is at an alarming 88% and the worst is to come.

Lebanon’s tomorrow needs to be faced now. I will personally be responsible and transparent for the funds generated through this fundraiser with a timeline of how they will be spent once we know the final amount raised. The funds I am raising for will be distributed amongst NGOs I will personally vet (and will announce), individual families, students to help pay tuition and to purchase medicine and have it sent to Lebanon. Food and clean water will be organised to families on the brink of starvation.

I want to ensure and reiterate that I am responsible for the transparent fundraiser and a schedule of expenses will be provided upon receipt and organisation of all funds.

For any questions I can be contacted directly on my Instagram @jessicakahawaty.

Thank you,

Jessica Kahawaty