As you have heard in the news, at least 137 people are dead and 5,000 wounded following an explosion in Lebanon's capital city of Beirut. The city is decimated with thousands of residents left homeless, a medical system already strained from coronavirus, and up to $5 billion worth of damage. Thankfully, search/rescue and recovery work continues, and international aid – on the ground and financial – is already arriving.
Bader, Samar and their family have been devastated by the explosion and aftermath. Jennifer and Terry Roberts report that Bader has heard that his parents have about 50 people, all family members, staying at their small home because all their homes have been destroyed. They were left with just the clothes on their backs, no money, no food.
Some family members have been released from the hospital, along with one seriously injured niece. His parent’s house is still crammed with people and Jennifer is waiting to hear if a money transfer to the family has gone through so they will be able to purchase food and supplies.
Because Beirut hospitals are so full, and generally lack the capacity to be of assistance, many refugees are trying to return to Syria to find hospitals there. Jennifer is uncertain what this could do to these families’ refugee status long-term when it’s been 7-8 years since they left Syrian.
Please continue to support and pray for Bader and his family and all those living in the aftermath.
The Government of Canada launched a dedicated Matching Fund for the Lebanon crisis that will double the contributions of Canadians and support the relief work of the members of Canada's Humanitarian Coalition, including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, PWRDF will be participating in the Humanitarian Coalition appeal to support people of Lebanon through this crisis. Please go to the link below to read the update and to donate.