Massive Explosions Devastate Beirut

CARE staff in the city is safe but shaken and have already begun addressing the most urgent needs to provide critical hygiene items, psychosocial support, and more for those impacted.

“Our hearts are breaking for Lebanon tonight. This horrific explosion is going to further overrun our overwhelmed hospitals, as cases of COVID-19 have tripled over the last month. People are already suffering from the collapse of our economy, with LBP losing 90% of its value since September. We will rebuild, but tonight we are absolutely devastated,” said Bujar Hoxha, CARE Lebanon Country Director.

Lebanon’s economic problems have been building for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the country’s decline into its worst financial crisis in decades. Inflation has reached record levels and half of the population is struggling to put food on the table. Essential items such as milk, rice and sugar have tripled in price and become unaffordable for many Lebanese.

The humanitarian situation in Lebanon warrants immediate attention and response from the international community.

“What is happening today in Lebanon is much more than a socio-economic crisis, it is a real humanitarian crisis. Having access to food is now a challenge for more than 50% of the population. We see people rummaging through garbage cans for food. Groups have formed on Facebook where people exchange clothes for diapers for their babies, others exchange their furniture, their children’s toys for a little money to eat. The situation is really dire,” Hoxha said.