A massive explosion rocked the city of Beirut on Tuesday, Aug 4, followed by a shock wave that blew out windows and caused widespread damage across the Lebanese capital.
On Tuesday, Aug 4th, an enormous explosion, equivalent to 21 tons of TNT, struck Beirut, Lebanon. At least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 are reported to be wounded. The Governor of Beirut has said that 300,000 people have been left homeless...
The blast was triggered by more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate. The industrial chemical, often used for fertilizer, had been stored at a warehouse at the city dock since it was unloaded from a seized cargo ship in 2014.
The blast also destroyed a grain storage facility that held 85% of grain for the Lebanese, which relies heavily on food imports. This would suggest the country only has enough grain to last for another month if there is no relief.
An orange cloud of toxic nitrogen dioxide towered over the city following the blast which can cause significant respiratory problems to the residents.
The horrific scenes in the aftermath of the explosion yesterday were devastating for a country already suffering under the strain of so many crises.
This beautiful city that, in recent history, has endured:
- Civil war from 1975-90
- 1983 suicide attack on the United States embassy that killed 63 people
- A bombing of the peacekeeper’s headquarters in the same year
- A massive truck bomb in 2005 that killed its former prime minister
Today Lebanon suffers under the strain of multiple ongoing crisis:
- Anti-government protests
- Economy expected to shrink by 12%
- Currency lost 70% of its value against the US Dollar
- Highest number of refugees per capita in the world
- Electricity supply crisis
Lebanon is in desperate need of help.
Frontier Partners International has been working in Lebanon assisting Syrian refugees in the Bekaa Valley along the Syrian border for almost 6 years and our hearts are broken for the people of Beirut.
Family members of our team apartments and several of churches were severely damaged.
We are assisting these, and other families and churches get back into livable and workable condition. This includes repairs to damaged windows, roof, door, cabinets, replace destroyed furnishings, and the like.
Our goal is to help 5 family apartments and 5 churches at a cost of $5,000 each for a total need of $50,000 this week. Your act of kindness will go a long way to help bring peace in the lives of many in this troubled region.
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Michael Parks & Daniel Emig
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