On August 4, 2020, a massive and deadly explosion rocked Beirut at a time when Lebanon was facing its worst economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and unprecedented levels of poverty and hunger.
244 people were killed, over 6,000 thousand injured, and the number of displaced exceeded 300,000. Businesses, schools, homes, and hospitals were destroyed.
In response, the Lebanese diaspora organizations SEAL and LIFE, joined by LebNet, Jamhour Alumni, and the non-governmental US-based Kuwait-America Foundation, formed a unified humanitarian effort under the “Beirut Emergency Fund 2020.”
SEAL worked closely with these partners to address the most immediate needs and pressing challenges: Hospitals, Medical and Mental Health Support, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. Recipient organizations undergo a rigorous vetting and due diligence processes. Disbursement of the funds is strictly governed with full transparency about recipient organizations.
$8.5 Million Raised out of which $5,159,249 were received by SEAL.
Allocated as follows:
$3,022,486 for hospitals
$652,647 Medical Needs
$312,200 Mental health support
$4,200,073 for Rehabilitation of homes & businesses
$279,763 Other including Food and Hygiene Distribution
Hospitals: Geitawi Hospital, Hotel Dieu de France, St George Hospital, Saint Joseph des Soeurs de la Croix Hospital, Assameh birth & beyond – Karantina Hospital
Medical and Mental Health Support: APEG (Association pour la protection des enfants de la guerre),arcenciel, Embrace, Happy Childhood Foundation, Himaya,Lebanese Red Cross, Lebanon Needs, CDLL (Cénacle de La Lumière), Rotary Club Kesrouan
Rehabilitation and Reconstruction: Baytna Baytak, Beit El Baraka, Lebanese Food Bank, Nusaned, Offre Joie, RMF (Rene Moawad Foundation), Solidarity, House of Christmas, Live Love, Melanie Freiha in collaboration with arcencie, Al Ghina
Others: SOS Children’s Villages, Rifaq El-Darb, AFLEG, Beit El Baraka, Nusaned, Al Ghina, Tariqna El Sama
We’ve come a long way since the Beirut August 4 explosion, but much more is needed. SEAL will continue to help build a better future for Lebanon in 2021 and beyond.
However, the Beirut Emergency Fund officially closed on December 31, 2020 so we will be updating the list of the remaining allocations once available.
Thanks to all our generous donors. We have witnessed an incredible outpouring of support and that support has improved – and saved – many lives. Hundreds of individuals, corporations, foundations, and friends of SEAL, have responded to the call for help providing us with the resources needed to deliver these relief efforts.
Many of you launched creative and innovative fundraisers through GoFundMe campaigns, art auctions, music and comedy events, jewelry and fashion salesfood & wine events, matched donations and so much more. Thank you!
For the list of the many fundraisers that helped support BEF, please click here
Beneficiaries
Underprivileged Lebanese affected by the Beirut Explosion
