A view of destroyed grain silos and buildings in the port of Beirut.

“Salam Beirut” aims to bring relief to the affected populations; whose numbers continue to rise as Lebanese officials pick through the wreckage. The first phase of response will focus on providing medical aid, food and water supplies and shelter to victims, which will be mobilised by Sharjah-based global humanitarian organisation, The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) in coordination with on-ground relief operators in Lebanon.

Volunteers gather to clear the debris from the streets following Tuesday's blast in Beirut's port. 

Furthermore, TBHF officials along with their local partners will carry out a detailed assessment of the damage to property to implement targeted activities to provide affected households with rehabilitation support including rubble removal, in addition to offering solutions to boost vital services like electricity, sanitation, plumbing and carpentry maintenance.

Donations to the "Salam Beirut" drive can be made by sending SMS to https://bh.ikhair.net/ml/lebn; bank transfers to Sharjah Islamic Bank A/C No: 0011-430430-024 IBAN: AE900410000011430430024; cheques and cash payments by contacting TBHF on 0557574930.

Announcing the campaign on Twitter, Sheikha Jawaher wrote: “What has hurt Beirut has hurt us all,” remarked Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, calling on all individuals and organisations in the UAE and worldwide to lend a helping hand. “Our brothers and sisters in Lebanon need us and we must do our best to fulfill our moral and humanitarian duty towards them. We know no other way but to stand firmly beside those who lost everything overnight – their loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods and their safety – to this shocking tragedy.”

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“The ‘Salam Beirut’ campaign follows the strong humanitarian spirit and directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to stand by nations in their time of need. Through this campaign, we reiterate that Sharjah and the UAE are with every family and individual in Lebanon. Our communities are inseparable.”

Sheikha Jawaher stressed that Lebanon’s scientific, literary and artistic wealth has made it a go-to destination for intellectuals and creatives from across the world, noting it was time to protect this cultural and humanitarian jewel of the Arab world. “Lebanon deserves peace and security, and it is time to ensure its people have it.”

Volunteers clean the debris in the streets of Beirut.

“We pray for Allah to have mercy on the victims, heal the wounded, guide those who are missing back to their homes, and give strength to those who lost their loved ones," the TBHF chairperson added.

From the moment the news of the accident became known to TBHF, the organisation has ramped up efforts to contact its local and international partners to rally support and raise funds to deliver emergency aid and relief to those most affected. 

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and Beirut Governorate, the tragic accident has claimed 157 lives, left more than 5,000 wounded and dozens of missing persons, in addition to causing grave material damage that affected homes of thousands of families whose houses were partially or totally destroyed. An estimated 300,000 people have been left homeless.