Winter is coming, the economic crisis is getting worse and worse, the spread of the Corona virus is increasing horribly and Beirut’s citizens are still suffering from their bleeding wounds. Over 60 days have passed on the catastrophe that hit Beirut, and huge damages still linger on whereas Lebanese people are exhausted from trying to survive while facing an unknown fate. Who will save them from this disaster that ruined their lives and destroyed their future?

In a progressive step towards finding the real reason behind the Beirut blast, the FBI delivered its final report to the judge overseeing the issue. Although there are no indications to what is the content of the report, the judge is still waiting for similar reports from French and British explosives experts. Hopefully, a verdict will be passed soon and those responsible for the reckless actions that lead to the disaster will be brought to justice.

The catastrophe that hit the heart of the capital Beirut on the 4th of August, at a time where the country was drowning in an endless cycle of political, economic and health crises. On that day, the scale was tipped, during which the Lebanese people lived horrifying and difficult hours in a tragic black cloud. But the very next day, the Lebanese rushed to the streets of the destroyed capital, and before scenes of massive destruction, they stood in solidarity to save their injured capital, in complete absence of the government. The Lebanese people, especially youth, refused to have their dreams buried in these streets, that turned into war-like zones; rather they wanted to saw hope to rebuild their Beirut.

Télé Lumière - Noursat dedicated a weekly segment for the Middle East Council of Churches every Thursday in "Al Nour Maana" show, to discuss the latest updates regarding the MECC appeal as well its relief and development projects in Beirut.

The families of the victims and those affected are revolting

Although at a smaller scale, demonstrations once again erupted in the capital, calling for justice transparency and the truth. Till today, not one low or high level employee, or political figure has been sacked, revealing the degree of accountability in the country. Laughably, the government during the beginning of the month, mourned the death of a Kuwaiti ruler when it continuously failed to honor those that fell in Beirut, by delivering swift justice. Yet again, our political elite sucked up to our wealthier neighbors hoping to receive some petty cash. As for the matter of those that had fallen, knowing Lebanon’s history and political climate, they may join a long roster of casualties that were forgotten across the ages.

La UNIFIL interviene

Esta semana, la UNIFIL envió sus fuerzas al puerto de Beirut para apoyar a las autoridades con la remoción de escombros y apoyar los esfuerzos de construcción luego de la devastadora explosión del puerto del 4 de agosto. Los equipos de la ONU lo harán en tres fases, para permitir que las operaciones en el puerto se reanuden lo antes posible, ya que la economía del país también está en ruinas y se necesita cada centavo. Sin embargo, no hay duda de que este esfuerzo es una buena señal de que el Líbano es una de las principales preocupaciones de la comunidad internacional. Tal vez, esta sea una buena señal de que la intervención extranjera en la construcción aumentará con el tiempo y pondrá de rodillas a los responsables de la tragedia o de la corrupción en el Líbano.

A meeting was held today at the headquarters of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) in the presence of the MECC team with the Honorary Secretary General, Dr. Souraya Bechealany and the Tearfund committee director of Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen Karen Soerensen along with the regional director of the Middle East, Martin Leacm. The meeting took place to finalize the details and to set a starting date for an Emergency Humanitarian project between both partners.

The Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling program in partnership and cooperation with the Youth office and the Patriarchal Seminary of the Greek Melkite Catholic Churh - Rabwa. This program targeted a group of young people from different member churches, scout and religious movements. It aims at supporting the participants psychologically and spiritually, so that they can in turn, help others the same way.

After the 4th of August, the words "explosion, port disaster, Beirut does not die, victims, destruction, funerals, injured, transparent international investigation, corruption,…” are dominating the Lebanese scene and all Lebanese conversations. Moreover, pain and sadness are at a greater depth in the Lebanese hearts; and with every sun rise the effects of the hideous crime that hit the capital are revealed further. Everyone is still under shock. Adults and young people are suffering from psychological symptoms and depression in addition to permanent health problems. How do people recuperate their wellbeing, how do they heal from such traumatic symptoms?

The UNIFIL intervenes

This week, the UNIFIL dispatched its forces to the Beirut port to support authorities with the clearing of debris and construction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating Aug. 4 port explosion. UN teams will do so in three phases, to allow operations at the port to resume as soon as possible, seeing that the country’s economy is also in ruins and every penny is needed. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this endeavor is a good sign that Lebanon is one of the international community’s primary concern. Maybe, this is a good sign that constructive foreign intervention will increase over time, and put those who were responsible for the tragedy or for the corruption in Lebanon on their knees.

Télé Lumière - Noursat dedicated a weekly segment for the Middle East Council of Churches every Thursday in "AL Nour Maana" show, to discuss the latest updates regarding the MECC appeal as well its relief and development projects in Beirut.

Very recently, a survey was carried out by the Lebanese army in the devastated Beirut port and it was discovered 49 containers of flammable materials, such as acid and other materials used in the manufacture of paint, and raw materials. Consequently, the army held more than one meeting with representatives of the European Union, to conclude an agreement that the European Union would undertake the financing and management of the disposal of these inflammable materials. However, these materials have been present at the port since 10 years.

At 6:07 pm Beirut time, “the ground shook beneath our feet in the emergency room, and after a few seconds, we heard the sound of an explosion, the ceiling collapsed, pieces of shattered glass were flying from all sides, and the sound of the siren became stuck in our ears”. Who knew that the 4th of August 2020 will be a catastrophic day which will change the Lebanese people’s course of life and turn the capital of Light into a devastated city? “After few moments, people began arriving in great numbers, drenched in blood and crying out in pain!” This is to describe the state of total panic in one of Beirut’s hospitals at the time of the terrible explosion that occurred on August 4.

The Theological and Ecumenical Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), organized a Trauma Healing and Spiritual Counseling program in partnership and cooperation with the Youth office and the Patriarchal Seminary of the Greek Melkite Catholic Churh - Rabwa. This program targeted a group of young people from different member churches, scout and religious movements. It was launched based on the recommendations made by the youth during two online meetings held by this TED department following the Beirut port explosion, in order to hear their aspirations and suggestions. The program aims at supporting the participants psychologically and spiritually, so that they can in turn, help others the same way.

Télé Lumière - Noursat dedicated a weekly segment for the Middle East Council of Churches every Thursday in "AL Nour Maana" show, to discuss the latest updates regarding the MECC appeal as well its relief and development projects in Beirut.

The fatal blast in Beirut last month became yet another blow to an already plagued country. In recent months, a financial crisis with a free-falling currency and rising unemployment has further undermined the Lebanese economy. Add to that one million Syrian refugees and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the contours of a fragile nation facing monumental challenges emerge.

The Italian Swiss radio channel RSI hosted Dr. Souraya Bechealany, MECC Secretary General, to discuss the Beirut Port blast that took place on the 4th of August, 2020, and its repercussions. She also mentioned the MECC Beirut appeal and its theological statement, for the relief of the afflicted Beirut and its affected people. In addition, Dr. Bechealany underlined the humanitarian and service role the MECC is executing ever since its foundation.

Latest updates and humanitarian response

Report #3

Reporting Period: From September 3 to September 9, 2020

As part of the follow-up to the practical recommendations expressed by the youth during the online meetings held by the Council of Middle East Churches on the 25th & 26th August 2020 and in the belief of their active role in the disaster relief of Beirut, the department of Theological Affairs and Ecumenical Relations, in partnership and cooperation with the Great Youth and the Theological Seminary Department of the Roman Catholic-Rabbwa Patriarchate, organize the program of "healing from psychological trauma and spiritual advice" on the 12th and 19th of September 2020.

A month after the catastrophic blast that hit the Beirut port, the Diakonia Department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) continues its disaster relief work on the field, within the framework of the appeal launched by the Council to help all those affected and injured. Therefore, the department launched a new partnership with Tearfund, a relief and humanitarian agency located in London, to target the most vulnerable people among those affected by the blast, with unrestricted cash assistance.