Understanding the Beirut explosion
Beirut, Lebanon
The city of Beirut is the capital of Lebanon, and serves as a port city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
On Tuesday, August 4th, 2020, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate being stored in a port warehouse since 2013 caused an explosion. The failure to store and relocate the chemical to a more safe containment is being investigated. Port and customs officials are currently being questioned about the events leading up to the explosion.
Currently, Beirut is in a two-week state of emergency with the military controlling the city. At least 135 people have died due to the explosion, with thousands more injured. The explosion has caused damages that cover a majority of the city. Governor Abboud estimates the cost of damages to be upwards of $3 billion.
Fast facts from CNN about the explosion can be found here.
DONATE
DPE is fundraising to donate to the Lebanese Red Cross; these funds will be going toward emergency medical services, medical and social services, blood transfusion services and disaster management.
Other ways to contribute:
USC Students Aya Abdin and Maya Kawkabani are raising money through GoFundMe. All donations will be split between The Disaster Relief Fund, AUB Medical Center serving trauma patients, and sending aid to citizens who have been affected.
News Outlets
We have been conditioned to view the Middle East as being inextricably linked with bombings and conflict. We have normalized tragedies in the non-Western world and have become desensitized by it. Be conscious of the news you read-where it comes from and the biases held within them. Below are news sources that offer another lens in which to look at what has happened. Acknowledge your biases when you learn about the Middle East and correct them.
