Beirut Explosion
News and Updates on UNICEF response to the explosions that took place in Beirut
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One-Year on after the Beirut Explosions
One year after massive explosions devastated lives, livelihoods and a large swathe of Beirut, the needs of children and their families remain acute. The situation in Beirut and across Lebanon has in fact gotten much, much worse. Lebanon is facing unprecedented economic and social challenges and is at risk of free fall.
Joya-Maria, 6. Who lost her mother.
"The sound of the explosions was so strong, BAM! I know my mum is happy in heaven...I love you mum, and I send you a heart and a kiss"
Hadi, 16. Lost his father, a firefighter who was battling the blaze at the port
“I have lost not just a father but also a companion and a best friend. He was my secret keeper, my hero, my role model. I feel alone now."
Angelina, 3. Her father was a firefighter at the Port
“I talk to him every day but he doesn’t answer me, his photo doesn’t speak back to me."
Sama, 5. Her father died when the explosions destroyed the Hospital, where he was being treated
“I want to know who took my father from me and my brother, I want to know who spoiled my life. I miss you Baba so much."
“One year after the tragic events, children's lives remain deeply affected. That is what their parents tell us. Those families have been struggling to recover from the aftermath of the explosions at the worst possible time – in the middle of a devastating economic crisis and a major pandemic.”
"Isaac was an outgoing, confident, brave, incredibly intelligent and affectionate little boy"
"When I woke early on 4 August 2020, I didn’t know that it would be the last day I would hold Elias, my 15-year-old son, and feel his hair in my face as we embraced"
Lasting scars
One year on, a long, slow road to recovery for children affected by the Beirut explosions. - August 2021
UNICEF's response to the Beirut Port explosions
UNICEF has helped get children back to school, distributed essential nutrition and hygiene supplies, delivered psychosocial support, provided cash grants to the most vulnerable families and supported the rehabilitation of health care facilities, schools and water supply services.
Six Months after Beirut Explosions
Six months since the Beirut Explosions, together with partners we continue to provide humanitarian assistance, including health and nutrition supplies, psychosocial support and access to water, sanitation and hygiene, to children and their families.
100 days after the Beirut explosions
On 4 August, two explosions hit Beirut city, sending shockwaves throughout the city causing multiple casualties and widespread damage. Up to 300,000 people were affected including 100,000 children.
“UNICEF’s response over the past 100 days has been lifesaving, swift and essential; yet we cannot rest, and our work continues."
Rising from Destruction
100 days of UNICEF’s response to the Beirut explosions and the road ahead for children and families.
UNICEF continues to work around the clock with 70 partners on the ground. We provide humanitarian assistance, including health and nutrition supplies, psychosocial support to children, emergency cash assistance for the most vulnerable and access to water, sanitation and hygiene. We support the reconstruction of damaged schools and health facilities, e-learning plans, and income generation opportunities for young people who support affected families
Yukie's Message
UNICEF representative in Lebanon
Three days after the Beirut Explosions
UNICEF pays tribute to the children who lost their lives, and those who lost a loved one in the Beirut Port Explosions in August 2020. We also honour the mothers and fathers who grieve the loss of a child
UNICEF Response
Child Protection Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Reached more than 35,000 girls, boys, women and caregivers with quality child protection and gender-based violence interventions.
- Reached more than 2 million people with short videos to support caregivers in helping children cope with the situation and encouraging them to access specialized services within their communities.
- Developed a psychosocial support programme for children and families in vulnerable neighbourhoods that were impacted by the explosions.
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Health and Nutrition Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Saved more than 1.7 million doses of vaccines and distributed them to dispensaries and vaccination sites, while ensuring the cold chain is maintained for vaccine storage and at immunization points.
- Are rehabilitating the Karantina hospital’s children and maternity wards, and the Central Supply and Drugs Warehouse and its cold chain.
- Rehabilitated and helped staff in three PHCCs, provided training, held counselling sessions related to maternal and newborn health, and distributed critical nutrition supplies to partners and PHCCs.
- Provided essential nutrition supplements to 45,700 children under 5
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Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (WASH) Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Provided access to safe sanitation for more than 197,000 people.
- Reconnected buildings to the public water system, reaching more than 23,000 people.
- Distributed some 16,500 hygiene kits and 790 baby kits.
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Education Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Are supporting the refurbishment and replacement of damaged furniture and laboratory equipment for 90 public schools affected by the explosions.
- Are rehabilitating 13 private and public schools
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Social Policy Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Provided a one-off emergency cash grant to 80,000 vulnerable people, primarily in households with children.
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Youth Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Engaged more than 1,900 youth in a community-based response, about half of them as part of cash-for-work programmes, including 188 who had been trained in rehabilitation and construction as part of UNICEF’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses. The young people removed debris, carried out minor repairs, and prepared and distributed meals to vulnerable families.
- Engaged young people to support production of 23,154 masks and distribute them to affected families and frontline workers.
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Message of Hope
Communication for Development (C4D) Response
UNICEF and Partners:
- Conducted awareness-raising activities on key healthy and protective behaviours, including COVID-19 preventive measures.
Rising from Destruction: UNICEF’s Response to Beirut Explosions
“Rebuilding Beirut and lifting its spirit is a long-term commitment. I invite supporters worldwide to stand together with every child in Lebanon.”