The Syriac Catholic Church tends to the wounds of its parishioners after the catastrophe of the Beirut Blast on the 4th of August
Report by Elia Nasrallah
More than a hundred days have past, after the Beirut Blast, and pain is still dominant on the Lebanese ground: Homeless families, unsafe homes, unavailable jobs, schools and hospitals still underequipped... A devastating collapse is reflected in a rise in the prices of food and necessary items. Many associations, organizations and humanitarian organizations have rushed to support the Lebanese people, especially the Beiruties, whose wounds have not yet healed. Beirut is still screaming, and its children still need a lot of support under difficult social, economic and health conditions. Therefore, relief works continue to give assistance to these injured people, especially with the start of winter.
Today, The Middle East Council of Churches continues its efforts to help the greatest number of those affected; because the shortage is enormous at all levels. The Council’s team works through the “Ecumenical Committee to Aid Beirut” with the representatives of the member Churches to coordinate the aid operations of the affected Beiruties. Thus, through the initiative of the Council and other organizations, all Churches in Beirut, were able to bring their parishioners together and stand by them, including the Catholic Syriac Church.
In the following, we highlight the damage to the Church’s parishioners in Beirut and their needs and their means of assistance. Mr. Serge Karnaby, a member of Ecumenical Committee representing the Catholic Syriac Church, commissioned by his eminency reverent Charles Murad Bishop of the Catholic Syriac, and Vice-President of the Catholic Syriac Charitable association; Karnabi tells us how their church responded to this disaster, and how it was able to help its children through the cooperation of the Council.
Mr. Karanbi started by recalling the memories of that fateful day. While he was heading to Antelias, he received a phone call that informed him about the explosion. He immediately decided to go back to Beirut, passing by Jal el dib and Dawra where he started seeing the scenes of destruction. He recalled the moments of panic he experienced while describing the scenes of massive destruction and the huge amount of glass splinters on the ground and the horrific state of the people in utter the shock.
Karnaby continued by pointing out all the damage that befell the Catholic Syriac patriarchate, and the Lady of the Annunciation, such as destroyed window panes and walls. He also pointed out how the children of the Syriac Church were also affected by the disaster. Some of them were slightly injured while others experienced great losses. He explained that the biggest number of Syriac Catholic families live in the Achrafieh region.
As for the needs of the Catholic Syriac Church, Mr. Karnaby said that the Catholic Syriac charity took it upon itself to monthly support the poorest groups, one hundred families of various damage levels. He added, that following the Beirut Blast and the deterioration of economic and social conditions, the association continues its efforts to support the injured through financial, educational and in-kind aids. He also stressed that the greatest need today is to secure medical aids such as medications and other supplies, and to support families by helping them to pay their children's high school and university’s expensive fees.
In this context, Karnaby discussed the humanitarian work carried out by the Middle East Council of Churches in coordination with the members of the Ecumenical Committee; he praised the tangible results of this cooperation in the field and the Council's readiness to provide humanitarian services. He then said “May God strengthen you in this mission, and may we be able to help all the needed as much as possible”. In addition, Mr. Serge said that the process to recovery from the consequences of the Beirut Blast requires a long time, and it might take up to several years. He concluded by saying, "May God give us peace of mind and days full of stability and security".
Today, the Lebanese population lacks stability and security, fear and despair dominate their daily lives. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope that is reflected in more than one picture, as people continue to offer their aids morally and materially in order for the Lebanese people to restore their hope and their love for life. The doors of donations remain open locally and internationally.
Communication and Public Relations Department