Emergencies

On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion at a warehouse at the Beirut Port sent a shockwave through east and downtown Beirut at about 6 p.m. local time. Nearly 200 people were killed, more than 6,000 injuries were reported, and at least 300,000 people lost their homes. The third biggest explosion in history occurred when a fire at a warehouse ignited a cache of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored at the site for more than six years. The blast caused massive destruction to the infrastructure and thousands of residences; private and public facilities in the neighborhoods close to the explosion were heavily damaged, collapsed, or destroyed. This explosion was the latest in a series of debilitating hits to the country—corruption, demonstrations, hyperinflation, political tensions, pandemic, and banking crisis—that left the Lebanese people and the world in shock.

From day one after the explosion, B&Z staff and volunteers took to the streets. They started helping in cleaning the rubbles and debris, providing hot meals, water, and emergency medical referrals. We simultaneously launched an online fundraising campaign to help the victims. We started reaching out to our donors and partners for support, while coordinating with other local and international NGOs working on the ground to avoid duplication and benefit from each other’s expertise. Our response targeted the most vulnerable Lebanese households, including the elderly, those who have lost heads of household, migrant workers, and refugees.

By the end of 2020, we collected 248,208 USD from individual donations and 1,751,224 USD in institutional funds from donors and partners.

In the early hours of 6 February, multiple earthquakes, the strongest being of 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale, struck southern Turkey and northern Syria. The epicenter was identified as Gaziantep, near the Turkish-Syrian border. At least 1,206 aftershocks have been confirmed as of the date of publication.

The earthquakes have created a disaster of colossal proportions;  casualty numbers keep climbing. The disaster has destroyed many homes, basic service infrastructure, and installations, leaving many people without food, water, and shelter and in urgent need of emergency medical and psychosocial assistance. 

As of 14 February, at least 5,791 people have reportedly been killed and 10,041 injured. This includes 4,377 reported deaths and 7,692 reported injured in northwest Syria, with many still missing. These numbers likely under represent the true scale of needs. The humanitarian community estimates that 8.8 million people in Syria have been affected by the earthquake. Several factors are influencing and exacerbating the severity of humanitarian needs, including pre-existing extensive humanitarian needs, logistical and access constraints to certain areas, winter conditions, and an ongoing cholera outbreak.  In Northwest Syria, 2,968,380 people were impacted across 148 cities and towns. 

As of 28th February, more than 10,000 buildings have been completely or partially destroyed in Syria. Many people living in the affected areas in Syria were already living in tents prior to the quakes; they have needed shelters equipped for winter and harsh weather conditions. Thousands of families have been without shelter in open areas or seeking refuge in damaged buildings, existing internally displaced people’s (IDP) sites, reception centers, collective centers, or being temporarily hosted by other families. At least 454 schools were reported to have been destroyed and/or damaged during the earthquake. Education activities are temporarily suspended in areas declared as disaster zones.  Limited access to WASH services in earthquake-affected areas puts people at risk of waterborne diseases, with 64% of those affected having WASH needs and over 80% requiring hygiene kits according to initial estimates from WASH partners. Top WASH needs of persons displaced by the earthquakes include water, water tanks, latrines, hygiene items, and sewage infrastructure. The remaining 3.2 million people have been affected indirectly and in host communities, including affected farmers and agriculture in urban areas. 

Our partners coordinated and identified needs rapidly because of their long-standing presence. They worked through five community centers and provided various activities to the affected communities, from IDPs to host communities.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh responded to the affected populations in Turkey (Maraach and Gazi Antib), and our partners responded in Syria through five components:

1. MPCA
2. WASH services
3. Food security and livelihood activities
4. Shelter and NFI
5. Protection services