Massive Explosion in Beirut During Economic Crisis Could Topple Lebanon

Fadi, Call of Hope’s Director of Operations in Lebanon, Surveys damage from the explosion in Beirut on August 4.

Call Of Hope Responds To Beirut Blast With Christian Relief And Aid

Beirut, LEBANON - The massive explosion in Beirut’s port district on August 4th has killed more than 200, injured over 6000, and has left an estimated 300,000 people displaced. The countries food supply is in peril as granaries have been destroyed or severely contaminated. The destructive blast is adding to the chaos of a country coping with the worldwide pandemic and a severe economic crisis. This combination of events has resulted in widespread unemployment and massive food shortages throughout the country.

Only two months ago, Beirut was seeing chaos on a much smaller scale as protestors took to the streets in response to the nations collapsing currency. This economic crisis has been ongoing for months now, and the Lebanese government has responded with higher taxes, adding strain to the residents already burdened by the rising cost of daily necessities during the COVID pandemic.

The nation has been struggling to maintain imports, with the most crucial being wheat (a staple in the local diet). Now both Lebanon’s main port for trade and their storage silos for wheat have been destroyed; and the entire country could be looking at fragile years ahead.

Just fifty miles away in the Beqaa Valley, Call of Hope has been at work for nearly a decade where an estimated 2 million refugees have settled, escaping the atrocities of civil war in Syria. Daily work is increasingly hard to find in the area, and the value of Lebanese currency continues to plummet. Now, the situation is dire as 300,000 additional Lebanese citizens have been left homeless from the blast in Beirut. With a dwindling food supply and political unrest looming, we are entering an unprecedented time of crisis for the nation of Lebanon.

Response

In response, Call of Hope is providing aid to individuals and families with food, medicine, lodging rental support, replacement glass for windows, Bibles and literature, and spiritual counsel.

The distribution of food parcels will provide short term food security in this time of crisis. Call of Hope will distribute basic food items as well as other hygienic supplies for families facing economic hardship and job loss due to the explosion which will meet pressing physical needs, as well as provide a much-needed sense of security. Call of Hope Frontline Workers are not only providing life-sustaining aid and support, but we are also providing Bible-based counseling and sharing the hope that can only be found in Christ.

If you are able, please help us by praying and giving to the relief effort by clicking the button below. Together we can make a powerful impact on Lebanon's physical and spiritual future!

• Food Parcel: $40

• Lodging Support: $100/month

• Replacement Glass: $200/home

• Bibles & Literature: $9

Consider a one-time contribution to our work in Lebanon!