Red Cross assisting people impacted by explosion in Lebanon

The humanitarian needs in Beirut, Lebanon are immense following the recent explosion, which has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in a country that is currently hosting the largest number of refugees per capita and is struggling with environmental and economic uncertainties.

Some of the most urgent needs on the ground include:

• emergency medical services, such as transportation to get critical patients to hospitals for urgent care;
• shelter, food and water; and,
• personal protective equipment as responders provide life-saving care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lebanese Red Cross and the Palestine Red Crescent Lebanon Branch are working to coordinate emergency relief efforts to get help to the people affected as quickly as possible.

Canadians can help by making a financial donation to the Lebanon Humanitarian Needs Appeal online at redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111. Money raised for this appeal will enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help individuals in Lebanon affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, as well as the recent explosion. The cost of fundraising, such as processing donations, issuing receipts, or reporting back to donors will not exceed five per cent.

If Canadians are looking to re-establish contact with non-Canadian family members who may have been impacted by this explosion, the Canadian Red Cross Restoring Family Links Program helps people re-establish contact with family members internationally when separated by emergencies or disasters. If you are looking for someone who is not a Canadian citizen, please contact familylinks@redcross.ca.

The Red Cross is the largest disaster relief organization in the world with community-based and global support systems ready to respond to severe emergencies. For more than eight years, the Canadian Red Cross has been working in partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross to meet humanitarian needs in the country and continues to offer solidarity and support in their response.
About the Canadian Red Cross

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.