Scenes of devastation following a huge explosion in Beirut leave no doubt as to the immediate and urgent needs of the more than 4,000 people injured. Humanity & Inclusion’s expert team already based in the country is ready to help those in need.
Beirut, Lebanon- August 5: People wearing face masks walks past damaged cars after Tuesday's massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. The blast hit Lebanese capital on August 4, with over 80 people killed and some 4,000 injured. | © Mikhail Alaeddin / Sputnik /AFP PHOTO
HI’s Head of Mission, Caroline Duconseille, was on a roof terrace at the moment of the explosion:
“I felt the building tremble slightly. Then we heard the first explosion with white smoke, shortly followed by an enormous one and lots of orange smoke. The chairs began to fly everywhere and all the glass in the building opposite shattered. It was terrifying!”
HI’s offices in the Achrafieh quarter of Beirut 2km from the site of the explosion have been heavily damaged, as have the homes of several of our team. Fortunately none of our staff was seriously injured.
“Once I had checked that all of my team was safe, we began to visit hospitals and partners to understand what the needs of the injured are. HI has an important role to play in the coming days to reduce the impact of this disaster”.
HI has a team of 98 staff in Lebanon as well as a network of partners, which will now be mobilized to bring our expertise and resources to those in need. Emergency evaluations conducted by HI in Beirut’s hospitals reveal that common injuries include complex fractures and amputations to extremities (fingers, toes). Many have already undergone surgery and will quickly need physiotherapy and mobility aids in order to begin their recovery.
After being injured when their home collapsed, Stephanie and her aunt Valerie received mobility aids and are learning rehabilitation exercises from Humanity & Inclusion physical therapists.
One month after an earthquake wreaked havoc in southwest Haiti, humanitarian needs remain immense. The disaster caused over 2,000 deaths and left 650,000 people in need of vital support.
Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is steadily resuming its activities in four provinces - Herat, Kunduz, Kandahar and Nimroz. After more than 30 years of war, the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are immense.
Sign up for email updates
from Humanity & Inclusion UK
ABOUT US
Humanity & Inclusion UK
9 Rushworth Street
London
SE1 0RB
UK registered charity no. 1082565
MORE INFORMATION
SEARCH
