The Beirut explosion has left an already devastated country in shambles, and its people with nowhere to go. The explosion was caused by a former cargo ship which came into the port in 2013 carrying ammonium nitrate. The ship crew did not have the money to resolve technical issues when stopped in Beirut, and were detained for around a year, never making it to their final destination of Mozambique. The cargo carrying 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate was left unattended until now, to the point of its explosion.
It is known that the explosion was an accident. However, there are still people responsible. The Lebanese government is pointing fingers at each other and at higher officials for who is to blame, while the people are begging for international aid.
If you have seen threads and posts on social media asking people to donate to organizations unrelated to Lebanese government, it is because of Lebanon's historic government corruption. The country suffered a 15 year long civil war which only ended in 1990. Since then, the government has been overrun by politically corrupt officials who have taken money from the people. The economic crisis left Lebanese people in poverty prior to the explosion and the pandemic. In addition, the currency has lost 80% of its value. Prior to the blast, about half of the Lebanese population was living in poverty and 75% were in need of aid.
The Lebanese government has compounded corruption over the decades, and at these moments of crisis, the government has still turned away. Thus, it is important to donate to organizations and relief funds that are unrelated to Lebanon's government. The Red Cross is a great resource.
The Lebanese people have also sought French support, in particular. French President Emmanuel Macron visited the nation after the blast, and even urged the international community himself not to send aid directly to the Lebanese government. Some Lebanese people are turning to guidance, and even possible governance, by the French due to its rule over the region from 1920 to 1945. It makes one think of the level of desperation the people must feel to ask their former colonizer for help.
Looking at Lebanon's state of chaos and vulnerability, it reminds us that governments can get out of hand. They can betray and usurp our control before our eyes. What we as the international community need to do is act, not just send prayers and well wishes. Lebanese people need us to act collectively now more than ever.
