The Lebanese diaspora, estimated at nearly three times the size of the population of the small country of five million, is mobilizing to come to the aid after the massive explosion that devastated Beirut.

Lebanese expats rushed to send money to relatives who lost their homes or were injured in Tuesday's blast that killed at least 113 people and left thousands injured. Others pledged to create special funds to deal with the tragedy.

“I have been on the phone all morning with […] our partners to form an alliance for an emergency fund,” said George, co-founder and CEO of LebNet, an NGO based in Silicon Valley, California. which helps Lebanese professionals in the United States and Canada. "Everyone, Lebanese or not, wants to help," he adds.

Along with other organizations like SEAL or Life Lebanon, his group has created the 2020 Beirut Emergency Fund, which will raise money and distribute it to safe and reputable organizations in Lebanon.

Many online fundraisers

Many Lebanese expatriates, almost all of whom have relatives or friends affected by the disaster, are also helping individually and have started fundraising online.

“As a first step, my wife Hala and I will make a contribution equal to at least $ 10,000 in donations,” says Habib, a Boston, Massachusetts-based tech entrepreneur and member of LebNet. "Then we will provide additional aid for reconstruction and other projects," he adds.

According to him, many compatriots are doing the same, channeling their grief and anger to help their stricken homeland which, before the disaster, was already reeling from a deep economic and political crisis, leaving more than half of the population to live. in poverty.

"They are asking Lebanese emigrants around the world to try to help them," said Maroun, owner of a Lebanese restaurant in São Paulo, Brazil, a country with some 7 million people of Lebanese origin. "I'm trying to do my part, but here, business is not going very strong with the pandemic. Despite everything, we are better off than they are there," continues this restaurateur.

An already very active diaspora

Even before the tragedy, Lebanon already relied heavily on its diaspora for sending remittances, but these remittances slowed down last year due to the country's political crisis.

Expats also often visit their homes every summer, injecting much needed cash into the Lebanese economy. But this year, the diaspora has been largely absent due to the Covid-19 epidemic and many have also become reluctant to send aid to a country where corruption is rife at all levels of society. . 

"People are outraged by the mismanagement of the country. They want to help, but no one trusts those responsible," said Najib Khoury-Haddad, a tech entrepreneur in the San Francisco area, who echoes the feeling of mistrust of many Lebanese. “I heard that the government had set up a relief fund, but who will trust them?” He adds. 

"We are there with our hearts"

Ghislaine, 55, from Washington DC, discusses the idea of ​​pairing a family in need in Beirut with another family outside the country who could provide a safe and direct source of assistance. "We, [the diaspora], we are the financial lineage, especially since the economy is not going to recover anytime soon," said the woman whose brother lost his home in the explosion.

"And we are lucky to have a fairly stable life here. We are physically far from Lebanon, but we are there with our hearts and our emotions," she said.

Nayla, a Lebanese-Canadian who lives in Montreal, also says she wants to do everything possible to help. But she expresses her indignation at the explosion caused by more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in the port of Beirut, in the heart of the densely populated city. 

“My God, it's terrible and heartbreaking to see what condition our country is in,” she complains. "Before the tragedy, I donated to a lady who helps feed the poor and I will do it again," she says. "What I am giving is just a drop in the ocean, but it is necessary," adds Nayla who, if she lives in Canada, says that "part of [her] heart has remained there" .

With AFP

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