New front doors for victims of Beirut explosion
Donation protected
Campaign organisers: Karen Murad (+96176030717) and William Kilner (+447426919683).
On 4th August 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded at Beirut port, killing at least 160 people, injuring around 6,000, leaving 300,000 homeless and many more in need of immediate assistance such as food, clothing and shelter.
We have been on the ground almost everyday since the explosion, helping clear glass and debris, removing fallen trees, and repairing front doors. Some of the worst affected areas are populated by low income households and elderly people living alone. Many of them have been unable to leave their homes and are without basic amenities such as water and electricity. The force of the explosion blew many doors and windows out of their frames, as well as frames out of walls, leaving apartments exposed to the elements and their contents insecure. We have been trying to repair front doors to the best of our ability with limited equipment, but in many cases the extent of the damage makes our work impossible. These homes need new front doors, the cost of which is beyond the means of many residents.
For basic pine entrance doors, we have been quoted $200-400, including labour cost and paint/sealer. We are aware of two local initiatives working on door repairs and through this network of contacts we will recruit local carpenters to fit brand new front doors. If the average door costs $300, we hope to be able to replace about 45 doors, which doesn't come close to meeting the need but is a good start in the poorest neighbourhoods where people are currently keeping watch all night to keep their insecure apartments safe.
Any surplus funding would go towards repairing windows and the inside of apartments. Glass is badly needed and, once again, this is an unaffordable material for many of those affected.
We are not an established charity but two masters students at AUB, one Brit and one Lebanese, who are taking this initiative having identified what we think is a gap in the emergency response. We have no personal connection to the parties we are raising funds for - we are trying as far as possible to help those in the greatest need.
The situation is increasingly desperate for many people who were already affected by Lebanon's failing economy and the sooner we can start securing people's homes, the sooner they can start rebuilding their lives.
On 4th August 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded at Beirut port, killing at least 160 people, injuring around 6,000, leaving 300,000 homeless and many more in need of immediate assistance such as food, clothing and shelter.
We have been on the ground almost everyday since the explosion, helping clear glass and debris, removing fallen trees, and repairing front doors. Some of the worst affected areas are populated by low income households and elderly people living alone. Many of them have been unable to leave their homes and are without basic amenities such as water and electricity. The force of the explosion blew many doors and windows out of their frames, as well as frames out of walls, leaving apartments exposed to the elements and their contents insecure. We have been trying to repair front doors to the best of our ability with limited equipment, but in many cases the extent of the damage makes our work impossible. These homes need new front doors, the cost of which is beyond the means of many residents.
For basic pine entrance doors, we have been quoted $200-400, including labour cost and paint/sealer. We are aware of two local initiatives working on door repairs and through this network of contacts we will recruit local carpenters to fit brand new front doors. If the average door costs $300, we hope to be able to replace about 45 doors, which doesn't come close to meeting the need but is a good start in the poorest neighbourhoods where people are currently keeping watch all night to keep their insecure apartments safe.
Any surplus funding would go towards repairing windows and the inside of apartments. Glass is badly needed and, once again, this is an unaffordable material for many of those affected.
We are not an established charity but two masters students at AUB, one Brit and one Lebanese, who are taking this initiative having identified what we think is a gap in the emergency response. We have no personal connection to the parties we are raising funds for - we are trying as far as possible to help those in the greatest need.
The situation is increasingly desperate for many people who were already affected by Lebanon's failing economy and the sooner we can start securing people's homes, the sooner they can start rebuilding their lives.
Organizer and beneficiary
William Kilner
Organizer
Residents of Beirut
Beneficiary