Lebanon Emergency: Rising from the Rubble

The huge explosion that occurred on Tuesday 4 August in the area near the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut , caused over 100 deaths and 4 thousand injuries . Glass doors and windows up to 10 km away from the disaster area were torn out. The government speaks of around 300,000 inhabitants left homeless . Even before this catastrophe, the country of the cedars was struggling with a deep economic crisis, accentuated and made dramatic by the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic; according to official sources, more than 45% of the population lives in poverty and unemployment has risen to 35%. The explosion of 4 August, therefore, deals a further very strong blow not only to the economy and infrastructure of Lebanon, but also to the morale of a people who have suffered so much violence in recent decades. Like all humanitarian associations, the association “ Humanité Nouvelle ” of the Focolare Movement has also taken action to help those who have been most affected. With the help of the local community of the Movement, the doors of the Mariapolis Center “La Sorgente” in Ain Aar near Beirut were opened, welcoming several families who lost their homes. Groups of young people and adults, overcoming the initial shock for this tragedy, made themselves available to help the families and people most affected, collecting food or material to fix up houses and apartments, to respond to the most urgent needs. ________________________________________ The Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement was also activated, which will intervene through the organizations AMU and AFN. For those who want to collaborate, it is possible to make a donation online, or to one of the following current accounts: Action for a United World ONLUS (AMU) IBAN: IT58 S050 1803 2000 0001 1204 344 SWIFT/BIC code: CCRTIT2T at Banca Popolare Etica Action for New Famiglie ONLUS (AFN) IBAN: IT11G0306909606100000001060 SWIFT/BIC code: BCITITMM at Banca Intesa San Paolo  REASON: Emergency explosion in Beirut ———————————————————- The contributions paid into the two current accounts with this reason will be managed jointly by AMU and AFN. These donations are subject to tax benefits in many countries of the European Union and in other countries of the world, according to the different local regulations. Italian taxpayers will be able to obtain deductions and tax credits from income, according to the regulations for ONLUS, up to 10% of income and with a limit of € 70,000.00 per year, excluding donations made in cash. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]