Support America’s response to Lebanon’s devastating explosion
This project is fully funded. Thank you!
Your Impact
With the help of our donors, Spirit of America raised $55,800 in support of the Beirut Response Basecamp’s efforts in the wake of the Port of Beirut explosion. Specific assistance included repairing houses damaged in the blast and providing pro bono legal services to 150 residents.
This project is fully funded. THANK YOU!
In early August, an explosion ripped through the streets of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. Reports indicated that the blast had the explosive force of a small nuclear device. The impact was immediate and catastrophic: 4,000 wounded, over 200 dead, countless buildings damaged or destroyed, billions in damage, and 300,000 people homeless.
Spirit of America immediately pledged to provide assistance and show solidarity between the American and the Lebanese people in this time of need.
Three weeks later, I landed in Lebanon with one goal: identify the right partner to team up with to help affected families. After working with the US embassy, local friends, and supporters, I found what I was looking for.
Baytna Baytak (“our home is your home”) is a humanitarian organization that is the driving force behind Basecamp, a group of NGOs that pooled their resources to provide comprehensive services more efficiently. Made up of hard-charging, dynamic, progressive Lebanese, Baytna Baytak is fixing homes and bringing damaged neighborhoods back to life.
With your support, Baytna Baytak can accomplish the following:
- Facilitate damage assessments and/or repairs for 2,000 homes
- Provide pro bono legal representation for up to 150 low-income individuals
- Enable the operational integration of Basecamp NGOs, including Baytna Baytak, so they can help families more efficiently and effectively.
I checked in on one of the Baytna Baytak teams as they repaired windows and doors in a damaged home in Beirut. I invite you to watch this short video I made while at the house.
What is not in the video is my exchange with the homeowner as I was departing. Her dark eyes beaming with joy, she told me, “This is amazing. Many groups offer to help but they don’t. I did not think this was real. These are hard times for us. But I’m thankful.”
Lebanon is an important partner for the US in the Middle East. During these hard times, help us showcase the American spirit of generosity and bring smiles to more faces in Beirut.
Zack Bazzi
Regional Director – Middle East and Central Asia
