Beirut Emergency Appeal: Helping Lebanon's Explosion Disaster
The explosions at Lebanon’s capital city, Beirut on the 4th of August has left the whole world in shock, with local Beirut victims scrambling in desperate need for help.
Since the tragedy, many passionate individuals, charities and NFPs have started working together to find effective ways to swiftly help the victims in Lebanon during their time of need. This includes crowdfunding to financially support Beirut explosion relief.
With all the Beirut emergency fundraisers currently circulating, it is important to do your research and know where your funds are going. That is why we have provided you with information on the reliable crowdfunding reliefs created by the organisations leading the Beirut Emergency Appeal in Australia.
What we know so far
The numerous explosions occurred after a large fire at the Port of Beirut spread towards the roof of a warehouse unknowingly containing 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate.
The explosion’s shockwave was so big that it flattened buildings, flipped cars, shattered windows, and was heard as far away as Cyprus, about 200km across the Mediterranean Sea.
The colossal blasts killed more than 200 people and injured 5,000 more. In addition, a whopping 300,000 people are now temporarily homeless and that collective losses might reach $10-15 billion.
The Beirut explosions come at a devastating time as the country is already suffering a major economic crisis, with many families facing poverty and hunger. This is on top of the country’s ongoing battle with the COVID-19 virus, with an average of 250 daily positive cases within the past week.
How can you help?
With limitations of travel due to the global pandemic, the most effective way to help the Lebanon emergency is through financial aid by donating and fundraising for Beirut through trustworthy organisations and relief programs.
The United Australian Lebanese Movement (UALM) is a public affairs organisation that have started a fundraising page to crowdfund for the Beirut emergency relief. All donations go directly towards the relief program to help Beirut. So far, the page has raised $31,520 and is more than halfway towards achieving their $50,000 goal.
You can read more about UALM's Beirut Relief Program published at 'The Age' here:
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/rising-from-the-ashes-melbourne-s-lebanese-community-rallies-to-help-beirut-20200809-p55jyv.html
Care Australia, the leading international aid and relief organisation are also pleading for donations that will be directly helping the cause. All donations above $2 are tax deductible.
See what Australians are doing here:
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/232195/pray-for-beirut
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/232230/beirut-needs-our-help
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/233071/care-australia-beirut-appeal
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/232993/beirut-fire-department-karantina-branch
Do it your own way
In addition, you can choose to help the Beirut explosion crisis in your own way by creating a fundraising pledge for organisations such as UALM or the Islamic Relief Australia through mycause.
Whether it be for your upcoming birthday, doing a hair makeover or vowing to complete a fitness challenge through a cycle or run, you can do your part to help raise much-needed funds for the Beirut relief!
You can start a fundraising pledge or appeal for the Beirut crisis at 0% platform fee (free) for your cause now at www.mycause.com.au/start-fundraising
You can also browse more fundraising ideas here:
https://www.mycause.com.au/fundraising-ideas
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53720383
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/lebanon/
https://www.care.org.au/who-we-are/