The Beirut Port explosion was not only a nightmare for its citizens but also for the Lebanese officials who seem lost, not knowing how to deal with the aftermath of the explosion.
They seem to have been frozen in time.
The situation is very chaotic, the shock is grand, the pain is unbearable, and the people have been left to cope on their own and step in there where the government and its institutions should have been.
The people of Beirut have been cleaning up the remains of the fallen city, NGOs are distributing food to the affected households, and people across Lebanon have rushed to take in those left homeless; about half a million people.
It has been remarkable to all, locally and internationally, how bad the state is handling the situation, and how absent the officials seem to be from all the ongoing.
In their pain, in the horror, the Lebanese people just can’t fathom the apathy of those in charge.
The officials are in shock, sure, and also the people but the latter are acting, whatever the feeling of living a nightmare.
“What is the government doing?” That’s the question most exclaimed these days in Lebanon.
Speculations are rising and many questions remain unanswered. There’s no firm answer on what caused the blast, and who’s responsible for it.
There have been no proposed solutions for the damages, and for the sheltering of the hundreds of thousands of people left homeless. The people are taking care of that.
It will be an understatement to say that the Lebanese are fed up with the government, the state’s misgovernance (which is at its peak of unseen before), the senseless political talks, and… their absence from reality.
But… there is something even worse…
A massive catastrophe has taken Beirut and its surroundings and the government has not only failed to protect its people but has obstructed their efforts to save their own and to survive.
For that reason, the head of Beirut Bar Association, Melhem Khalaf, is preparing a legal case against the government to be presented at the International Court.
Now, he is winning the hearts of his people by serving them justice, as it should’ve been done in the first place by our government.
If you are a victim or know someone who is, and you are ready to testify, contact the number above and serve justice to Beirut.
Melhem Khalaf is the October Revolution’s proudest achievement. His stand with the Lebanese during the past two years earned him his position and won our hearts.
Now, more than ever, he’s proving to be worthy of our trust by giving us the justice we deserve.
The961 Foundation is raising funds for the Lebanese Red Cross to help them in their response to this tragic incident. To donate, click here.