On 4 August, a devastating explosion tore through the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Over 160 people were killed and thousands are wounded, whilst many are still missing. Up to 300,000 have been forced from their homes due to damage and destruction.
UNICEF is deeply concerned that children may be among the injured, missing or dead. Those who survived are traumatised and in shock.
Our teams on the ground need your help. In a country already struggling with COVID-19 and economic collapse, every donation counts.
A woman being evacuated in Beirut on 4 August. Thousands were injured in the horrific blast, with hospitals now struggling to cope.
Donate to Lebanon Emergency Relief Efforts
What happened in Beirut?
On 4 August, two explosions tore through the city of Beirut, reportedly caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored in a warehouse at the port.
The chemical explosion sent shockwaves throughout the city causing multiple casualties and widespread damage. Up to 300,000 people are without homes after they were damaged or destroyed, including an estimated 100,000 children.
Beirut explosion aftermath
At least 16 primary healthcare facilities were damaged in the Beirut blast, including a UNICEF-supported newborn unit, affecting lifesaving services for nearly 126,000 people. Three hospitals were destroyed altogether, as well as 10 containers of personal protective equipment.
The remaining hospitals are over-stretched and falling short of critical supplies, particularly in the wake of rising cases of COVID-19.
Right now, UNICEF is on the ground to support children and their families - but we can’t do this without you.
Three crises at once
This horrific event adds to what is already a terrible crisis for the people of Lebanon-- economic collapse and a rise in COVID-19 cases meant hospitals were already overwhelmed and frontline health workers exhausted.
The situation is now critical, with many hospitals reaching full capacity and reporting a lack of equipment to treat the injured and care for patients in critical condition.
How you can help: UNICEF Lebanon assistance
- $85 can provide a vaccine pack, enough to restock medical supplies with 240 vaccines against polio, tetanus, measles and tuberculosis.
- $170 can provide two emergency sanitation kits packed with water purification tablets, buckets and portable water containers to supply safe drinking water for two families.
- $240 can equip four health workers with masks, boots and overalls in replacement of destroyed protective gear.
UNICEF Response
“We are on the ground
and will do everything
possible to provide much
needed assistance today
and in the long run”
- UNICEF Lebanon
UNICEF immediately responded to this devastating crisis, providing drinking water to frontline responders and rapidly removing essential medicines from a damaged warehouse to ensure those vital supplies are safe and available for children across the country.
Now, our teams are working around the clock to support children and families in need:
- Providing psychosocial support to help children cope with bereavement and trauma.
- Supporting the reunification of children who have been separated from their family and the setting up of a hotline.
- Working with youth volunteers helping with the clean-up of parts of the city.
- Working to scale-up emergency cash assistance to families in urgent need of housing and other essentials.
Please help us provide life-saving assistance to affected children and their families.
Your donation will go directly towards funding UNICEF's work to support children and families in Lebanon. In the highly unlikely event that the funds raised exceed UNICEF’s funding requirements for this emergency appeal, your gift will go to supporting children in dire need in other emergencies around the world.