Disaster Aid Europe Beirut Appeal

Disaster Aid Europe z.s, a project of Rotary* Club Prague International, is focused on helping rebuild communities after disasters. Disaster Aid Europe’s mission is to assist Lebanese Rotary & Rotaract Clubs helping and supporting the rebuilding of communities severely affected by the 4th August 2020 explosion in Beirut. 300,000 homes were destroyed and many have homes with no windows and doors as well as other damage.

Stuart Amesbury, a Trustee, visited Beirut in August to assess needs, and work with Rotarians & Rotaractors in helping repair accommodation and assess the extensive damage to the Rosary Sisters Hospital – a self-funded community day hospital near the blast zone. Medical facilities are damaged and overburdened. Most in the blast zone are without jobs (due to COVID and the blast), though they are helping to repair accommodation and help small businesses survive. There is a UN Disaster Cluster Group (UN OCHA) of large NGOs providing organized help, however, the need is overwhelming and winter is fast approaching.

Urgent needs are:

• Solar lamps (with USB portal) such as Luminaid
• Sawyer individual & family water filters
• Sky Hydrant* community water filters
• Blankets, hot water bottles, feminine hygiene products, children’s nappies, soap, sanitisers, disinfectant, hygiene products, etc.

We are working with the global NGO Medair, who has long had a base in Beirut, to guarantee safe delivery of supplies. Several members of Disaster Aid Europe will visit Beirut September/October and beyond to distribute supplies to specifically identified families and individuals through our network of Rotarians and Rotaractors on the ground in Beirut.

View the Beirut Appeal flyer for more information – English | Czech

Rotary* is the world’s largest service organization with 1.2 million members worldwide with the motto: Service Above Self.