Caritas launches emergency plan to assist victims of Beirut explosion

Source: Caritas Internationalis/CAFOD/Vatican News

Caritas Lebanon leapt into action almost immediately after a gigantic explosion rocked the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday evening. Caritas Internationalis has now launched an emergency plan to assist victims of the disaster.

"The situation is critical and this is the first time that we have experienced a situation of such great magnitude. It is apocalyptic, but we don't stop and we will carry on in order to help all those in difficulty," said Rita Rhayem, director of Caritas Lebanon.

"There are a lot of dead and a lot of injured, and the health situation is likely to worsen quickly, as the toxic gases can cause additional health problems," she continued. "Caritas Lebanon is preparing for this, but its health centres have no means to face this kind of situation, and rescue operations are made even more difficult by the lack of electricity".

Peter Mafhouz, the head of the Youth Department for Caritas Lebanon, spoke with Sr Bernadette Reis on Wednesday morning about the devastation.

"Basically it's a huge disaster," he said. "We have till now more than one hundred dead, four thousand injured, hundreds of families who have lost their homes because of the damage. It's a huge explosion that shook all Beirut and the neighbouring areas. The chaos is huge in Beirut right now."

Mafhouz described the work Caritas Lebanon is doing as part of its first response efforts. "We're trying to help out in the field, distributing food, removing the debris, looking for a lot of missing people. It's a huge tragedy for Beirut."

Caritas Lebanon has been providing basic food assistance and medicine, as well as helping hospitals, which are now at full capacity. In addition, they are helping with mental health. "A lot of people need someone just to talk with them," said Mafhouz.

Given the scope of the tragedy, Mafhouz said any kind of help that can be given is urgently needed. Information on how to donate to relief efforts can be found on the Caritas Lebanon website.

Caritas Internationalis is also coordinating plans with members of the worldwide Caritas confederation to provide emergency assistance.

Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Aloysius John noted that Lebanese are already suffering from a severe economic crisis, ongoing violence, and the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the consequences of economic sanctions imposed on Syria.

He said: "the international community must intervene urgently and unconditionally to help the population. There is a need to support the efforts of faith-based civil society organizations, in particular Caritas Lebanon, which is present throughout the country to meet basic and urgent needs, especially in this time of tribulation and trials for the Lebanese people."

He added, "It is vital that the international community acts decisively to alleviate the suffering of poor Lebanese, immediately removing economic sanctions."

Christine Allen, CAFOD's Director, said: "CAFOD expresses its deepest sympathies and prayers to the families of the victims, as well as to the people Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut.

"Local Lebanese organisations, that CAFOD works alongside, have told us of the widespread destruction that has swept the city. And, how their volunteers are already on the frontlines: assisting in hospitals and helping the injured.

"This disaster has happened at a challenging time for Lebanon, as they deal with the coronavirus pandemic and the country's economic turmoil. This explosion threatens to push many who were already suffering further into poverty and hunger.

"CAFOD remains committed to supporting Lebanon at this difficult time."

During his weekly General Audience with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Wednesday, Pope Francis prayed for Lebanon. He said:
"Yesterday in Beirut, near the port, there were massive explosions causing dozens of deaths, wounding thousands and causing serious destruction.

"Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon so that, through the dedication of all its social, political and religious elements, it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing."

LINKS

Caritas Lebanon - www.caritas.org.lb/

Caritas Internationalis - www.caritas.org/