More than $600,000 in Humanitarian Aid for Refugees Destroyed in Beirut Explosion
Three 40-foot shipping containers filled with humanitarian aid that included thousands of handmade quilts and baby-care items were destroyed in the devastating August 4 explosions at the port of Beirut, Lebanon, the NGO Lutheran World Relief learned today.
The shipment, which also included school supplies for students and personal care kits, were destined for refugees living in Lebanon, principally from Syria and the Palestinian territories. The containers were part of a shipment to be distributed by Anera, an NGO and longtime Lutheran World Relief partner that provides humanitarian assistance and sustainable development to advance the well-being of refugees and other vulnerable communities in the Middle East.
The total value of the lost shipments was approximately $624,000.
The loss of more than 22,000 quilts, sewn by individuals and members of Lutheran congregations across the U.S., could mean a more bitter winter for thousands of refugees, said Melanie Gibbons, deputy director, outreach and engagement at Lutheran World Relief.
"Our quilts are made with love by those who painstakingly craft them, and they're deeply appreciated by the people in distress who receive them, both for the warmth and the message of care they provide," Gibbons said.
In addition, the shipping containers held 100 cartons of kits filled with school supplies, 300 cartons of personal care kits and 125 cartons of baby care kits.
"Our hearts are breaking as we grieve and pray with our brothers and sisters in Beirut," said Daniel Speckhard, president & CEO of Lutheran World Relief. "We are committed to replacing the aid that was lost and are working on an emergency response to provide assistance as the city recovers and rebuilds."
The explosions killed more than 150 people, injured more than 5,000 and left at least 300,000 without shelter. The blast was strong enough to register as the equivalent of a 3.3-magnitude earthquake and was felt as far as Cyprus, 150 miles away.
HOW TO HELP
Donate online: https://lwr.org/beirut
Donate by Phone: +1 (800) 597.5972
Donate by Mail: Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061
Tags : Beirut Explosion NGO Lutheran World Relief Beirut Lebanon 600 000 in Humanitarian Aid for Refugees Destroyed in Beirut Explosion
Hot Trends
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Remembers Daughter Maria 15 Years After Her Tragic Death
-
Producer Angela White Hopes New Movie "A Question of Faith" Will Eradicate Racism
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bryan & Katie Torwalt's "Clean Heart"
-
Here Are the Christian and Gospel Music Nominees For The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards
-
Former Rock Star Tour Manager Kelly K Shares About His Near-Death Accident, Coming to Christ, His New Book & More
-
Time Life Releases 1960s TV Concert Series "Jubilee Showcase" as a Streaming-Only Album
-
For The First Time Ever in English and Spanish the Powerful Epic THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST Arrives on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD
-
The 3 Heath Brothers Introduce Us to the Next Generation of Gospel Music
-
YWAM Kona Music Releases Debut Record, "The Commission (Live)" EP
-
'A Week Away' Star Kevin Quinn Joins Winter Jam Lineup
-
Forrest Frank Announces Deluxe Version of Hit Album "Child of God"
-
Audrey Assad Addresses the Question of Our Self-Worth with New Song "The Middle"
-
Internet Influencer and Christian Artist Joseph Solomon Admits He is No Longer a Christian
Most Popular
-
Here Are Lyrics to Darlene Zschech's "Yes Again"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Remembers Daughter Maria 15 Years After Her Tragic Death
-
Producer Angela White Hopes New Movie "A Question of Faith" Will Eradicate Racism
-
Here Are Lyrics to Bryan & Katie Torwalt's "Clean Heart"
-
Here Are the Christian and Gospel Music Nominees For The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards
-
Former Rock Star Tour Manager Kelly K Shares About His Near-Death Accident, Coming to Christ, His New Book & More
-
Time Life Releases 1960s TV Concert Series "Jubilee Showcase" as a Streaming-Only Album
-
For The First Time Ever in English and Spanish the Powerful Epic THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST Arrives on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD
-
The 3 Heath Brothers Introduce Us to the Next Generation of Gospel Music
-
YWAM Kona Music Releases Debut Record, "The Commission (Live)" EP
-
'A Week Away' Star Kevin Quinn Joins Winter Jam Lineup
-
Forrest Frank Announces Deluxe Version of Hit Album "Child of God"
-
Audrey Assad Addresses the Question of Our Self-Worth with New Song "The Middle"
-
Internet Influencer and Christian Artist Joseph Solomon Admits He is No Longer a Christian