The Beirut explosion on 4th August has devastated huge parts of the city. Gemmayzeh, a historic neighbourhood that is home to thousands of people as well as hundreds of small businesses, was one of the worst hit. Among those businesses was Aaliya's Books, an independent English-language bookshop (new and second-hand), literary bar and café.

A haven for anyone looking for translations of Arabic classics, contemporary Lebanese literature and global bestsellers alike, Aaliya's was a stalwart of cultural life in Beirut. It hosted book clubs, author talks and new publication launches, and was a place to celebrate literature. It was also a space for journalists to work, friends to meet, and parties to be held, with regular wine tastings providing opportunities for locals to learn more about and support Lebanese vineyards.

Now it is in tatters. The immediate work of sweeping up the shattered glass, twisted metal and debris is underway as you read this. But it will take the support of family, friends and loyal customers to get Aaliya's back on its feet. Things were already tough in Lebanon thanks to a crushing economic crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. With the port destroyed (Lebanon imports most things, including food and medicine) and so many lives and businesses destroyed, things are going to get significantly harder.

Co-owner and chef Naila (pictured above, photo credit: Timour Azhari) spoke to Al Jazeera about what Aaliya's is facing here: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/tears-blast-worsens-crisis-beirut-residents-200806091824907.html

It’s unclear how long it will take before it is deemed safe to commence proper rebuilding work, so initial funds raised will go towards paying staff members' salaries, medical expenses and urgent family needs for the next three months plus any emergency repair work. Unlike in other countries where furlough schemes have propped up businesses during the lockdown, Lebanon’s government has not provided any support, so Aaliya’s ended up supporting its employees without any external assistance from March to May. The cushion the company had to keep staff afloat has been depleted, so given the dire situation, they are the priority.

You may be thinking, there are a lot of people in Beirut who need help right now, why focus on one business? Yes, the need is immense, and yes, if you want your money to go to a broader cause, then we encourage you to donate to trusted organisations on the ground such as the Lebanese Red Cross (https://www.supportlrc.app/) or diaspora fundraising group Impact Lebanon (https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief). You can find links for more NGOs to support here: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/06/beirut-explosion-how-you-can-help-lebanon-victims-fund-donate-donations-food-relief. Or to give to creative businesses throughout Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael, donate here: https://fundrazr.com/11hFKa

Helping businesses such as Aaliya's recover as quickly as possible is vital for so many reasons. They are a crucial part of the battered Lebanese economy. They employ people who would otherwise be without work. They provide a space to gather and support each other. They are bastions of culture. They offer a slice of normality in a city that was turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

This is a space for friends of Aaliya's who would like to help Niamh, Naila and Will get their much-loved bookshop and cafe back up and running. Whatever you can donate will be hugely appreciated. Any extra will be given to the Red Cross and updates will be posted in the coming days. Thank you!

To learn more about Aaliya's Books, check out their website (https://www.aaliyasbooks.com), Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/aaliyasbooks), or their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AaliyasBooks/).