One month has passed since the Beirut Port explosion, that devastated the capital of light, freedom, wisdom, joy and living together, transforming it into a capital stricken at the core. For four weeks, the Lebanese people have lived an endless period of great pain. August 4, 2020, 6:07 pm… A date that Lebanese will never forget, after they have witnessed moments of terror in a city that drowned, in less than minutes, under rubble and debris. In a few seconds, this disaster stole from 300,000 Lebanese their loved ones, friends, houses, properties and livelihoods… This disaster claimed 200 lives and left 6,500 injured.

The video is a tribute to the wounded Beirut. It was prepared by the MECC Communication and Public Relations Department.

The month of August 2020 in Lebanon was nothing like other months that Lebanese people have ever lived. Since the 4th of August 2020, Beirut was turned into a devastated city and dreams were buried under rubble and ashes. The young capital bid farewell to its young heroes, some through tragic funerals and others in the gloomy airport hall. The month of August has now ended, on the sound of mothers’ tears; mothers whose hearts were shattered as their children left them. However, in every ending there is a new beginning. Amidst all these painful events, hope remains the only source of strength for many young people who chose to remain in their homeland, among their suffering families and brethren. Beirut today draws strength and hope from every young man and woman, in order to stand tall again.

Latest updates and humanitarian response

Report #2

Reporting Period: From 27 August to 2 September, 2020

3 weeks have passed since the Beirut port explosion, and Lebanese people are still facing the repercussions of this disaster, which left great material and moral damage. For 22 days, the Lebanese were constantly struggling and exerting tireless efforts to rebuild their capital Beirut, which has been undergoing several crises for years. The process of removing shattered glass, wood and debris has been ongoing in public and private properties as well as in churches and their affiliated institutions. However, the losses and damages are still substantial, especially in churches, hospitals and schools.

Latest updates and humanitarian response

Reporting Period: From 5 to 26 August 2020

On the 4th of August 2020, a catastrophic and cataclysmic chemical blast at the Port of Beirut made the whole world sit still, as apocalyptic images surfaced all over international and local media outlets. More than 171 people lost their lives, some were obliterated and others were buried under the heaps of concrete and debris. 6000 people were injured and thousands of buildings were damaged or laid to waste. In addition, to the crumbling economy and the worsening COVID-19 situation, things took to the worse, as around 300,000 Lebanese and foreigners residing in Beirut, lost their homes, livelihoods, and of course, their mental health.

Amid the political, economic and health crises facing Lebanon, Beirut was devastated by a terrible explosion that hit the port of Beirut, turning the capital into an afflicted city in a split second, exactly at 6:07 pm on Tuesday August 4, 2020. It is a disaster that affected a huge number of innocent civilians and left thousands injured, hundreds dead, and dozens of people missing. The explosion also resulted in massive damage and heavy losses to public and private property, including buildings, cars, institutions and vital facilities. Moreover, churches and their affiliated institutions were unfortunately deeply affected by the massive destruction.

The Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) published a new issue of its periodic magazine, “Al-Muntada”, in July 2020, in Arabic and English. The issue focuses on two main topics: Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees’ right of return, and the Middle East region’s approach in facing the Coronavirus pandemic.

Online meetings gathering the communication directors of regional ecumenical organizations (REOs) are ongoing at the invitation of the Communication Department of the World Council of Churches (WCC), noting that the Communication and Public Relations Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) is taking part in those meetings. In the last virtual meeting, the participants discussed the situation imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions on each continent they represent, in addition to common issues and concerns.

There is no doubt, that the infectivity rate of the covid-19 pandemic has receded over the past few days, ushering glimmers of hope to a world that awaits any subtle sign which could give it relief. Nations had implemented lockdowns, have shut their land and sea borders, and closed their airports in an attempt to quell the spread; which they have succeeded in doing so. Despite this good news and despite all collective efforts, the World Food Program has warned that the global pandemic is in a stage where it can cause global famines of 'biblical proportions,' if not addressed while the WHO (World Health Organization) claimed that the virus will stay with us ‘for a long time’.

The MECC Communication and Public Relations Department on a learning journey to the World Council of Churches in Geneva

As an advanced step to strengthen the cooperation and deepen the coordination and communication between the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) on many levels, MECC Communication and Public Relations Department and Archives team visited WCC Communications Department at the Ecumenical Center in Switzerland - Geneva.

Under the slogan “I am making everything new,” the Middle East Council of churches launched on Tuesday, August 28, its website with a new look that reflects the ecumenical mission of the Council, which is based on unity in diversity and partnership in the service of human dignity and openness to the other.

Ziad EL Sayegh from MECC: “Religious authorities should stir the leap towards a healthily diversity management, away from generating xenophobia”.

MECC participated in a conference on ” The Crucial Role of Local Faith Actors Delivering the Global Compact on Refugees”, held on Tuesday, the 18th of June, at the Issam Fares Institute, American University of Beirut.