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Beirut explosion: Malteser International is mobilised

Beirut, 5 August 2020

As casualties mount and distress is acute in severely damaged downtown Beirut, Malteser International’s Raymond Tarabay, Partner Coordinator in Lebanon reports: “I have never seen so many injured people in my life. Hospitals have been severely damaged by the blast, including one supported by our partner, the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (LAKM). Many others are completely overwhelmed with wounded people.”

The Lebanese Association of the Order is already treating casualties and has  mobilised volunteer teams to provide practical support for the vulnerable, especially elderly people and persons with disabilities.

Pulling together every possible medical capacity

“We are pulling together every medical capacity at our disposal in Lebanon. Our mobile medical teams on the Syrian border are providing care for people in the region. These teams will also be needed in Beirut within the next days,” says Clemens Mirbach, Country Coordinator for Lebanon at Malteser International.

Almost half of the Lebanese population live in poverty, with unemployment at 35 percent. Hospitals are also struggling to cope with a rising number of coronavirus cases.

Malteser International has been working in cooperation with the Lebanese Association of the Order of Malta since 2014, providing medical care and aid for Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities.

Photo: Reuters