From relief to reform after disaster in Beirut

On August 4, 2020 a powerful explosion ripped through the port of Beirut, killing more than 200 people, injuring thousands, and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without their homes or businesses. Damage to the port and surrounding areas was catastrophic – the blast took out the majority of the country’s stored grain reserves as well as crippling its ability to import aid and supplies for the recovery.

Recovery efforts are ongoing, hampered by political turmoil and an economy in crisis. To help speed up the process and ensure people aren’t denied their basic human rights, Porticus has partnered with Human Rights Watch (HRW) and others to support their work in Beirut. HRW is documenting the difficulties people face in accessing fundamentals such as food, water, healthcare and education, as well as discrimination in aid delivery and curbs on freedom of speech. These observations are informing recommendations to policymakers in the Lebanese government. They are also being shared with international donors and news outlets to exert public pressure and help bring about urgent change.

HRW has been calling for a mechanism to coordinate aid that empowers the local civil society groups leading the disaster relief and recovery efforts. There has been progress in recent months as the World Bank, EU and UN announced a Lebanon Finance Facility in December to pool and distribute aid funds. Porticus will continue to partner with HRW and other Lebanese organisations as they strive to find sustainable solutions to the crisis and advocate for reforms that place Lebanese society at the heart of change.

Top photo: Copyright Mohamed Azakir - Reuters