Helping out Beirut - The explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4 impacted the entire city resulting in widespread destruction, loss of many lives, injuries in the thousands and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of citizens. District 7070 is currently looking into possible opportunities for clubs.

The Beirut Recovery Website is now up and running.  www.beirut7070.com . It contains all of the information in the video and more including an important section on Stewardship, our team members, additional documentary videos about the Karantina Hospital and more. 

Global Grant Now Established: Please Donate TODAY:

A Global Grant application (GG# 2119172) has been completed by The Rotary Club of Beirut Cosmopolitan, with the Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club as the International Sponsor partner. Clubs throughout District 7070 and beyond, are invited to participate in medical equipment for the pediatrics Operating Theatre of Beirut's only public hospital. The objective is for District 7070 Rotary Clubs to donate $60,000 US towards the Grant. The money will go towards surgical equipment for the neo-natal unit at the Karatina Hospital in Beirut. The video below tells the story, how and where to send your money. Let's all get behind this humanitarian project . If you or your club wishes to make a donation, right now to the Global Grant , you may do so. Currently, our point people are Steve Rutledge of the Rotary Club of Whitby-Sunrise ( email: SRutledge@Bell.net)  and our District 7070 Areas of Focus Action Committee Chair Richard Mewhinney ( email: rmewhinney@rogers.com ).  

 

Please "Read more" for more information

On August 4, 2020, two strong explosions originating from the Port of Beirut devastated many parts of the city. The blast resulted in more than 200 fatalities and 6000 injuries. Sadly, two Canadian citizens were among those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Extensive infrastructural damage has left more than 300,000 people homeless and many health facilities, including hospitals, inoperable. Search and rescue efforts continue to look for people still reported as missing. Several humanitarian organizations have mobilized quickly to respond to the needs of those most affected.

This catastrophe comes on the heels of several multi-faceted crises facing the country, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which had already put Lebanon’s health system, social services, and economy under severe strain. Today, more than 50% of the population is unemployed, a third of businesses have shuttered and many people are food insecure. At the time of the outbreak, the country was managing civil unrest, major economic and financial crises, and hosting over a million refugees displaced by conflicts in the region. All of these crises have had a detrimental effect on Lebanon and have made access to food, education, health care, jobs and housing almost impossible.

How Canada has assisting Lebanon

In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, Canada provided up to $5 million in humanitarian assistance. Canada later announced an additional $25 million, for a total of $30 million. This funding has helped trusted partners address immediate humanitarian needs and support efforts for early recovery. Continued provision of humanitarian assistance, including food, water and sanitation, shelter, and medical assistance, is essential to address the immediate needs of the affected people.

This included an initial $1.5 million going immediately to trusted humanitarian partners on the ground, including the Lebanese Red Cross via the Canadian Red Cross Society, to help meet the urgent needs of people affected by this crisis. Canada’s contribution will help support emergency medical services and provide shelter, food and other essential items.

Additionally, Canada’s programming and engagement in Lebanon are key components of our whole-of-government Middle East strategy. This strategy invests up to $3.5 billion over five years (2016-2021) to respond to the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact in the region, in particular on Jordan and Lebanon. Specifically, Canada's humanitarian assistance helps supply basic needs and services, such as health care and access to education, water, food and shelter for vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Task force on Lebanon

To ensure that affected Canadians and their families have the consular assistance and other support they need to navigate this difficult time, the Government of Canada set up a task force on August 13, 2020.

The task force will support the delivery of consular services, and ensure that questions related to immigration can be quickly addressed. Lebanese citizens in Canada on a temporary basis are also able to extend their stay in Canada if they are unable to return home because of the explosion. Canada will waive the cost of documents related to renewing their status for them as well as for Canadians and permanent residents in Lebanon who need to come home.

 

You Can Now Make a Donation towards the Global Grant: 

Beirut Recovery Initiative – Payment Options

 

To ALL Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and our friends of Rotary:

During November 2020, Rotary Foundation Month, it is a perfect opportunity for Rotarians to support our Rotary Foundation that provides critical financial assistance to worthy projects around the world, through Global and District Grants.

If you are planning to give to the Rotary Foundation, and do not have a specific project that you would like your donation to be used towards, please consider your payment for Global Grant #GG2119172.  This is the Beirut recovery initiative, whereby we are soliciting your support to replace critical Operating Theatre equipment in Pediatrics/Neonatal ward of the Karantina Hospital, Beirut's only public hospital.

Payment is Simple!  All you need to do is write or include the Global Grant number with your payment, written to the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, and mail to c/o Steve Rutledge, 148 Brownridge Place, Whitby, Ontario L1P 1W3, OR etransfers may be sent to TreasurerWhitbySunrise@gmail.com.  Be sure you include your Rotary ID number and Club name with your payment.  Upon receipt, we will record that you have sent it, and forward to The Rotary Foundation (Canada) for issuance of a tax receipt.  Your donation will count towards your Paul Harris account.

For Friends of Rotary and non-Rotarians, please include your email and mailing address.

We are currently halfway towards our lofty goal and hope to start implementation in January. Won't you join us in making this dream come true?

For further information, please contact Steve Rutledge at 905-668-5148 (SRutledge@bell.net) or visit our website at www.beirut7070.com where you will be able to view our 5 1/2 minute video that describes details of the appeal.

 

Questions may be directed to Steve Rutledge.  SRutledge@Bell.net