On the evening of August 4, two powerful explosions rocked the harbor of Beirut in Lebanon. The explosion was caused by 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored in the port of Beirut district.
More than 300,000 families have lost their homes due to the explosions, 6,000 people were injured, and 220 people were killed and some are still missing…
Posing an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis (economic and COVID-19 crisis), the explosion calls for immediate national and international efforts to support victims of this devastating, apocalyptic incident;
Fista North Lebanon, as a humanitarian NGO, hurried to fill this gap like all local CSO ‘s and NGO’s and started volunteering, under the umbrella of the emergency response plan of Restart center that aims at protecting and supporting individuals affected by Beirut Blast on the medical and psychosocial levels.
Fista team volunteered in two main activities:
A.1 Psychosocial assessment and support
Psychologists, social workers, educators and specialists from Fista are providing rapid psychosocial needs’ assessment in targeted sites (tents, schools/community centers, streets and homes).
Based on the rapid needs’ assessments, the team is providing the below services as needed:
- 1. Psychological first aid
- Counseling
- Community-based psychosocial support sessions- particularly in schools/community centers (Group/individual, targeting children, adults, etc.)
- Referral to other agencies for assistance (legal, shelter, etc.)
A.2. Delivery of basic needs assistance to survivors and their families.
Under this activity, Fista team with the collaboration of Restart non specialized team is providing ongoing basic needs materials for survivors and their families, particularly:
- PPE/hygiene kits
- First aid kits
- Food kits
- Baby supplies (nutrition/food, diapers)
- Diapers for elderly
- Sanitary pads for women
- Educational materials for children in schools and community centers (under the PSS component).
Together ,with other humanitarian NGO’s, we can make a difference hopefully in the lives of many people affected by the Beirut blast .
