On August 4, 2020, a terrifying explosion struck Beirut, Lebanon. Grief and loss swept over the previously flourishing capitol as people were either injured or dying left and right. But now, that same sorrow has turned into outrage. The Beirut Crisis, if you weren't aware, was a pair of explosions, the second much bigger than the first, striking the city of Beirut, killing at least 154 people, wounding more than 5,000 and causing widespread damage. The second blast sent a ginormous mushroom cloud high above the city’s port and created a shock wave that shattered glass for miles. According to New York Times, "Officials say the second, more devastating explosion most likely came from a nearby 2,750-ton stockpile of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive chemical often used as fertilizer, which Prime Minister Hassan Diab said had been stored in a depot for six years".
Now, you may be wondering why I'm writing a post about this topic a month after the actual event. The reason behind this is that the effects of this explosion still are prominent. For us, it was a week of shock, but for them, it can effect them for their whole lives. More problems include the fact that the doctors now fear shortages of medical supplies because of the lingering coronavirus. The explosion also sparked a political revolt. "The people demand the fall of the regime", chanted hundreds protesting in the Mar Mikhael downtown area, calling for 'revolution', as they lay blame for the catastrophe on what they see as the state's negligence.
This post doesn't come close to highlighting the situation in which Lebanon is in. The city is still being rebuilt and people are still struggling. To help you can donate to Red Cross, Impact Lebanon, or other local NGOs. You can also sign petitions related to the current political situation. Or, you can think of something totally different. Just remember, its better to do something small than to do nothing at all.
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