On 4 August, two explosions hit the city of Beirut, reportedly caused by several thousand tonnes of ammonium nitrate being stored in a warehouse in the port of the city.

More than 100 people have been killed and more than 4,000 have been injured. A further 100 are reportedly still missing. The number of children affected is still to be confirmed.  These numbers are all expected to rise.

Significant damage has been reported to buildings and infrastructure and according to the city’s Governor up to 300,000 people have lost their houses and are now displaced, with an estimated cost of the damage being above US $3 billion.

Three main hospitals in Beirut are severely damaged and other hospitals are overwhelmed with people seeking medical help.

This comes at a time when Lebanon is experiencing an economic crisis, as well as battling Covid-19.

There is no doubt that there is significant need for humanitarian assistance.

World Jewish Relief is assessing the situation and evaluating how we could respond, or whom else to direct supporters to.

We will post further updates when we have more information.