Lebanon Relief
On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon killed over 200 people, destroyed countless homes and buildings, and left local hospitals overwhelmed with thousands injured and wounded. The devastating explosion came at a time when Lebanon was already facing a political, social, economic and health crisis – a reality intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) responded by launching several fundraising campaigns through our Disaster Relief Fund to assist in the efforts as Lebanon begins the road to recovery. 100% of all donations raised through CAAP will support organizations working on-the-ground in Lebanon.
Initial campaign:
CAAP launched a match campaign on August 5, 2020 in support of Lebanese Red Cross that raised more than $50,000. CAAP provided an additional 50 cents to the dollar match, resulting in a grant of $75,155 supporting Lebanese Red Cross, which was one of the first organizations on the ground providing critical medical support, transporting wounded people to hospitals, and organizing blood donations. In the aftermath of the explosion, Lebanese Red Cross is providing accommodations to those who lost their homes, helping reconnect lost individuals with their families, and providing critical psychosocial support.
Current campaign:
As donations from the global community come pouring into Beirut, medical supplies remain in short supply and hospitals only have a few days of essential supplies available. People in Lebanon are facing dire circumstances and struggling to access vital care. Through our Disaster Relief Fund, CAAP is taking immediate action to fundraise to help bring emergency medical equipment and supplies to Lebanon. 100% of current donations to CAAP’s Disaster Relief Fund will support the Lebanon Relief Project, which is a nationally coordinated effort by American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) and Flint, Michigan-based philanthropists Ghassan and Manal Saab to urgently collect and airlift medical and surgical supplies, personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals to Lebanon.
What began as a private initiative by ATFL and the Saabs to send immediate and urgent medical and pharmaceutical supplies to providers in Beirut, has now grown into a national partnership with several nonprofit organizations, including AFYA Foundation, ANERA and Direct Relief, the U.S Department of State, and the American Embassy in Beirut to quickly deliver essential supplies to hospitals and NGOs on the ground. In addition, Ghassan and Manal Saab have launched a national campaign to secure funding for the purchase of ICU beds and ventilators to help with the influx of COVID-19 patients in Lebanon’s hospitals. To date, more than $50 million worth of medical and pharmaceutical supplies have been airlifted to help in the aftermath of the explosion.
Give now to help send urgent medical supplies to Lebanon