Dear friends,
Even before
Beirut was torn apart by two
terrifying explosions this week, Lebanon was falling
apart, wracked by Covid and a financial crisis that has left
families utterly desperate.
Now, with huge areas of the
capital levelled, it’s impossible to overstate the country’s
need.
When the blasts hit, 300,000 people
became homeless in an instant. Hunger was already
stalking the land, and vital food reserves were lost. Doctors
are being forced to operate by the light of mobile phones and
Lebanon's people are describing themselves as refugees in
their own country.
We HAVE to help -- and we
can.
Avaaz is already in touch with a few
nimble groups on the ground who can
provide
urgent food, medical assistance and shelter. If enough of us
chip in, we can help fund this lifesaving work, giving away
every penny we raise! Donate now -- let's show
Lebanon's resilient people the world won’t turn away in their
darkest hour:
Lebanon
has been buckling under the pressure of Covid, the war in
Syria, bitter political sectarianism, and a crippling
financial crisis.
The explosions this week could be
the straw that breaks the camel's back, sending the country
spiralling into collapse. Last time that
happened, it unleashed a civil war that lasted fifteen years
and killed tens of thousands. Beirut, and citizens across
Lebanon, still bear the scars of that horror -- we must do all
we can to stop it from happening again.
The best way to
do that is to
show Lebanon’s people that the world
won’t abandon them. If we all chip in just a bit,
we’ll be able to fund groups:
- Providing shelter for hundreds of thousands made
homeless by the blasts;
- Ensuring hungry families have food;
- Delivering urgent medical care in the
pandemic;
- Supporting Syrian refugees who are now trapped
in a new crisis.
Avaaz has a team on the ground in
Lebanon identifying the most impactful groups to fund. They’re
ready to go -- so
chip in now to provide urgent help
to Lebanon’s people, before it’s too late:
Our movement has shown
up time and time again for people trapped in humanitarian
crises. But Lebanon is facing multiple crises at once. First
the war in neighbouring Syria, then millions of refugees, the
Covid crisis, the financial collapse, and now the giant blasts
in the capital. Let’s meet this moment of despair with
generosity and hope, and do all we can to help.
With
hope,
Bert, Wissam, Mike, Marigona, Mo, and the rest of
the Avaaz team
PS - This might be your first donation
to our movement ever. But what a first donation! Did you know
that Avaaz relies entirely on small donations from members
like you? That's why we're fully independent, nimble and
effective. Join the over 1 million people who've donated to
make Avaaz a real force for good in the
world.
More
information:Beirut’s blast and
Lebanon’s deeper crisis (Washington Post)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/08/06/beiruts-blast-lebanons-deeper-crisis/Beirut:
Why has there been crisis after crisis in Lebanon? (BBC)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-middle-east-53669019/beirut-why-has-there-been-crisis-after-crisis-in-lebanonBeirut
families search for loved ones feared trapped under rubble
(Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/05/beirut-families-search-for-loved-ones-feared-trapped-under-rubble-blast-lebanon©
AP Photo/Hassan Ammar
