Three days after the terrible explosions that devastated much of Beirut, and as Lebanon continues to count its dead, the Lebanese in France are trying to organize to help their stricken homeland. The diaspora sends money and also organizes the collection of basic necessities.

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Beirut continues to count its dead, three days after the two explosions that ravaged the Lebanese capital. At least 149 people have died, more than 5,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands of residents are still homeless, their homes completely destroyed. Faced with this disaster, the Lebanese diaspora in France is mobilizing. Expats send money to their relatives there, emergency funds have been set up. And they call for mutual aid.

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"The donations are pouring in, fortunately. There, we had a nice donation that has just arrived of 10,000 euros." Odette Chesnot smiles, despite the pain still present. Because these 10,000 euros come on top of the 7,000 already collected in an online kitty launched by this Franco-Lebanese. And, another reason to be happy, donations do not come only from the Lebanese diaspora. "It's people who are from all over the world who call me," says Odette Chesnot. "Everyone is mobilizing. Really, it was 9/11 in Lebanon. Unfortunately…"

"It is really a humanitarian disaster that is brewing"

In addition to the pot, the Franco-Lebanese co-organizes a collection of essential products *. The objective is to fill a container of 70 cubic meters as quickly as possible at the port of Le Havre. "In this container, there will be all that is food products that can be preserved: flour, rice, pasta. Because there, especially with what happened, the wheat is gone. There is no more wheat reserves in Lebanon, ”explains Odette Chesnot. "Then everything that is for babies: milk, diapers. And also hygiene products. That's mandatory, it's missing. It's really a humanitarian disaster that is brewing."

The port of Beirut being totally devastated, this container will be transported to Tripoli, in the north of Lebanon. Odette Chesnot will then be on site to manage the free distribution of products, thanks to a network of volunteers.

* To donate food or hygiene products, contact Barbara Monreal (0665874314) or Odette Chesnot (0619114975). For larger donations, please contact Jessica (0626902135)