Following the massive explosion that occurred at the port of the city of Beirut on the 4th August 2020, the Gift of the Givers has stepped in to assist the people of Beirut. According to the Lebanon government, the explosion was caused by more than 2 700 tons of ammonium nitrate which was stored in a warehouse in the port.
Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said with hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed, the anxiety levels regarding accommodation were very high. Three days after the explosion, Sooliman said R1 million had been transferred to be used for rental accommodation to house displaced people whose homes were destroyed by the explosion. The relief organisation partnered with Beirut social development agency Ghirass to provide aid.
Sooliman said the intervention would be facilitated by Ghirass, which would oversee the purchase and distribution of food, water, blankets, clothing and medical supplies. He said the Gift of the Givers would be transferring more funds as contributions came in.
The two organizations will be going door to door consoling people and taking down names of those who need assistance. “Deliveries are door to door as many people feel shy to collect in public since they have never been in a position to receive handouts,” said Sooliman.
