Beirut Blast: Lebanon Remains Gripped by Crisis 3 Years After Port Explosion
Three years have passed since the Beirut explosion. We reflect on this disaster and what’s needed to help the people of Lebanon recover.
Lebanon faces an ongoing and debilitating socioeconomic crisis. One that has left more than 80% of the entire population living under the poverty line.
The constantly evolving, multi-layered crisis has reversed development in Lebanon. It exposes long-term structural vulnerabilities affecting those most in need, including refugees. Humanitarian needs are becoming increasingly visible, especially in the north.
And now, with the increasing airstrikes from Israel, conflict has escalated in the south.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon, which have mainly targeted the south. So far, over 111,940 people have been affected.
The airstrikes have pushed civilians to evacuate to safer regions, leaving dozens displaced. Several casualties have also been reported, including in Qasimia, the town Khiam, and the Bekaa region.
On August 25, 2024 alone, more than 100 airstrikes struck Lebanon. Across the nation are growing fears of further escalation as Israel maintains and increases their assault.
Since October 2023, our team in Lebanon have provided more than 2,300 food parcels, 300 blankets, 300 mattresses and 1,200 hygiene kits in Sour, Baalbek, Nabatieh and Hasbaya.
The team is also delivering support to primary healthcare centres and public hospitals with necessary medical supplies and medicines, in coordination with the Ministry of Health (MoH).
The team is also working with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/Disaster Risk Management (DRM) units, UNOCHA and local authorities, to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable groups.
A collapsed economy has resulted in an escalation of violence and deep unrest. Fuel is expensive and scarce in Lebanon, making winters harder to survive through.
The currency has also collapsed over the past two years. Inflation has skyrocketed, and more than half of the population still lives below the poverty line. Lebanon is also home to the largest number of Syrian refugees, numbering at 1.5 million, and hosts over 300,000 Palestinian refugees.
Displaced and host communities in Lebanon are in high need of assistance. They urgently need access to food, health, hygiene, basic materials (such as mattresses, pillows, solar lamps and floor mats) and unconditional cash assistance.
Islamic Relief has a long history of serving those in need in Lebanon. We are on the ground providing aid, including emergency food and hygiene kits.
When COVID-19 and the Beirut port blast struck, we helped vulnerable communities rebuild their lives. Today, we have numerous sustainable development programs in Lebanon, including water projects.
Keep our sisters and brothers in Lebanon in your prayers as they continue down the long path to a full recovery. Your support of our humanitarian work changes their lives.
Three years have passed since the Beirut explosion. We reflect on this disaster and what’s needed to help the people of Lebanon recover.
Fuel is scarce in Lebanon, which is in the grips of one of the worst economic crises in its history. Read here for more
A year after Beirut’s deadly explosion, Lebanon faces more humanitarian crises. This blog reflects on the tragedy and what we can do to help.