The catastrophic explosion that hit Beirut Sea Port on August 4, 2020 has cost at least 137 lives and injured over 5,000 people. On top of this, at least 300,000 people have lost their homes. In the midst of this devastation, Basmeh and Zeitooneh has its teams on the ground to respond to the situation. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to provide shelter, food, water and medication to those affected by the explosion, and to carry out urgent repairs. Basmeh and Zeitooneh is coordinating with others to assess the damage in the worst-affected areas and ascertain what the most vital repairs are. 

The team’s efforts will adapt with ongoing assessment of needs. We are providing regular updates of our response on our Facebook page, which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/basmehzeitooneh

The Smile and Olive Foundation is a registered charity in the UK (Reg No. 1177767) . The foundation supports the most marginalized communities in the Middle East, through its Lebanon-based sister organization Basmeh and Zeitooneh for Relief and Development (B&Z). Basmeh and Zeitooneh is a Lebanese registered organization that have been active in Lebanon since 2013. Its main mission is to empower individuals through working amongst the most vulnerable and marginalized groups; to fill the gaps in development assistance; respond to the most urgent relief and developmental needs; and contribute to the advancement of society. During the past eight years, B&Z have provided Education, Protection, Livelihoods and Emergency Relief support to the refugee and host communities in Lebanon and Irbil in Iraq.

In 2019, Basmeh and Zeitooneh was able to assist 1954 Children through its Education Programs; 4795 Individuals through its Protection Services; 465 Individuals and 97 households through the food security and livelihoods program; and more than 2300 households received Emergency and Basic assistance, such as food and hygiene kits.

Basmeh and Zeitooneh website: https://www.basmeh-zeitooneh.org/

All our hopes for the injured to get better soon and we share our deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. 

Now is the time to act and save those who are stranded