Right after the Beirut blast, Lebanese business leaders in Canada prompted to form a Coalition to raise funds and assist the victims of Beirut.
The Lebanese Canadian Coalition (LCC) has raised so far about $6 Million, a fundraiser efforts that the Canadian government will match until August 24th.
To ensure that the money will be given fairly to those in need, co-founder of the LCC Mohammad Fakih flew to Beirut with a small team in a 4-day visit, which just ended on Saturday.
The Humanitarian Coalition is on the ground. Donations from Canadians are making their way to the people affected by the disaster in #Beirut. Together we are helping the victims. @CanadaDev @IRCanada @LebaneseCanadi1 #LebanonCrisis pic.twitter.com/a7hNzNWOAC
— HumanitarianCoalitionHumanitaire (@humcoalition) August 21, 2020
On the first day of his tour, Fakih went alongside the UN and visited the destroyed port and the areas surrounding it.
Today was a good day. After a disaster, the first signs of rebuilding are heartening to see! So is the spirit of the #Lebanese people, rising from the ashes and cleaning up with the invaluable help of aid + community groups. ???? #lebcan https://t.co/vjrv43n8iq pic.twitter.com/Eys68zzcdq
— Mohamad Fakih (@mohamadfakih8) August 20, 2020
When asked by the Global News on what he saw on the capital’s street, Fakih revealed that the scenes are more serious than what the media has made them out to be.
“Almost 50% of Beirut is destroyed and will need $10 billion to recover,” Fakih said in one of his interviews.
While being interviewed by Lebanese reporters in the street, a scene unfurled of people yelling at a family to leave their home since the building is prone to collapse.
But, the family insisted on staying since they’ve got nowhere else to go.
Poignant, heartbreaking… That’s what is happening in Beirut…
“People have lost their homes and have no place to stay,” Fakih said. “And those who are staying in their demolished houses have no doors and windows to feel safe. People are in need of help, other than food donations, to get that sense of safety back.”
In a recorded communication from Beirut with the mayor of Mississauga, Bonni Crombie, Fakih recounted that story he had witnessed and pointed out at how serious the destruction of Beirut is:
Briefing with @mohamadfakih8 who is in Beirut assisting with disaster relief efforts. The scale and scope of this tragedy is unimaginable. 50% of Beirut impacted. Mississauga stands with our Lebanese community. If you can, please donate to the Red Cross: https://t.co/YdIWd6jEiE pic.twitter.com/u7Zesj7fAr
— Bonnie Crombie ?? (@BonnieCrombie) August 19, 2020
It is worth mentioning here that Mohammad Fakih is the recipient of the Key of The City of Mississauga, “Mississauga’s most prestigious honor,” according to Mayor Crombie.
Appel conférence avec les leaders de la communauté libanaise au #Canada en compagnie de collègues députés et les ministres @FP_Champagne et @karinagould. Nous continuons d’être à l’écoute pour offrir tout notre soutien au peuple du #Liban. ????
— Steven MacKinnon, député (@stevenmackinnon) August 21, 2020
• #Gatineau #Outaouais #PolCan pic.twitter.com/NBK852UVsL
Moving on with his mission in Beirut, Fakish coordinated with 8 different agencies in Lebanon, ensuring that the Canadian donations were going to the most vulnerable.
He even participated in preparing 10,000 hot meals with the World Central Kitchen. “Helping always makes me feel good about the future,” Fakih said in that regard.
While continuing to strategize for the LCC’s next move, he met with the Lebanese Red Cross to discuss what is needed for the community.
Thank you @RedCrossLebanon for meeting today to discuss your immediate response and what will be needed to meet the needs of the people of #Lebanon. It´s good to see how Canada’s immediate $1.5m humanitarian contribution and year on year funding has made a difference. pic.twitter.com/3t0l5VbbgZ
— Gregory Galligan (@Greg_Galligan) August 19, 2020
Fakih and his team also took part in overseeing the distribution of 12,500 tons of wheat, grain, and cereal from the World Food Program (WFP), and supervised the food boxes coming from Canada, in coordination with the Canadian embassy, at one of the WFP distribution centers.
I’m at Beirut Port where the first @WFP shipment carrying wheat flour has docked. This is part of our response as #Lebanon reels from the #Beirutblast. @WFPLebanon is on the ground responding to the needs of those impacted by the blast & the most vulnerable across the country. pic.twitter.com/tqYG3KoiSE
— Abdallah Alwardat (@AbdallahAlward1) August 19, 2020
Throughout his tour, Fakih kept being impressed with the Lebanese spirit and how the people are facing this tremendous hardship in unity, working hard together to rebuild their blast-stricken capital.
Last day in Lebanon. This is my awesome team in #Beirut, who have worked so hard to tell the story of what is happening here, and made this trip so special and made me so proud. ???? #lebcan pic.twitter.com/UIGXYfy0yN
— Mohamad Fakih (@mohamadfakih8) August 21, 2020
Work continues in #Beirut to recover from the devastating explosion. How can Canadians help? By donating to the @Humcoalition and its members until Aug. 24.
— Development Canada (@CanadaDev) August 22, 2020
Donations will be matched, dollar for dollar.
?: @UN
How to give ? https://t.co/YT67WFIZuh #Lebanon #LebanonCrisis pic.twitter.com/JJaZz4C9av
