Goto main content

Victims of explosion in Beirut will need HI’s help

Emergency
Lebanon

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.

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.

Date published: 05/08/20

COUNTRIES

Where we work

Read more

Hazrat wants to get back on his feet quickly to return to playing football
© D. Gordon / HI
Emergency Health Rehabilitation

Hazrat wants to get back on his feet quickly to return to playing football

To improve access to healthcare after the earthquake in Afghanistan, Humanity & Inclusion deployed its emergency response teams with the support of the European Union as patients were flooding into Jalalabad hospital.

Khalida, injured in the leg, is learning to walk again
© D. Gordon / HI
Emergency Health Rehabilitation

Khalida, injured in the leg, is learning to walk again

The earthquake on 31 August was the deadliest in Afghanistan's recent history. To improve access to emergency care, Humanity & Inclusion deployed its teams with the support of the European Union.

Healing the physical and emotional wounds left by the earthquake in Afghanistan
© HI
Emergency Health Rehabilitation

Healing the physical and emotional wounds left by the earthquake in Afghanistan

In the days following the earthquake on 31 August, Humanity & Inclusion deployed its teams of physiotherapists and mental health specialists to provide first aid to survivors.

FOLLOW US