Update on our programme in Lebanon following the explosion in Beirut

Our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating explosion in the Beirut port area on the evening of Tuesday, 4 August. 

Mary’s Meals normally serves meals to children attending school in Antelias, five kilometres north of Beirut, at a community centre in the Aley District of Mount Lebanon, to the south-east of Beirut, and at an informal education centre located in the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee settlement in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

At the time of the blast, the educational centres in which we work were closed, and the school where we usually serve Mary’s Meals is shut for the summer holidays – therefore no children or staff were present at the time.

Dorcas – our dedicated programme partner in Lebanon – has not received any reports of injuries, fatalities or destroyed homes within our school community. They are working closely with all parties to ensure that children, volunteers, and staff are safe.

The buildings where Mary’s Meals are normally served are all located away from the port area and none sustained any significant damage. 

At the educational centres, food distributions had already been in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic; the children who normally receive Marys Meals will continue to be welcomed during specific time slots to pick up their meals and take them home each day.

Dorcas’ office sustained some damage during the explosion. Thankfully, no staff were injured, and the team was able to return to the office once repairs had been safely carried out. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic incident. We will continue to work closely with Dorcas to provide any support we can during this time of great need. Amidst hardship and hunger in Lebanon, we are determined that our work won’t stop. 

Thank you for your ongoing donations, prayers and support which are helping us to keep reaching the children who rely on the promise of Mary’s Meals each school day.

Mary’s Meals has worked in Lebanon since 2016, responding to the conflict in Syria which has forced millions of people to seek sanctuary in neighbouring countries. Our school feeding programme supports Syrian refugee children living in Lebanon, alongside their Lebanese classmates.

You can find more information on Mary’s Meals’ work in Lebanon here. 

You can read more about Mary’s Meals’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic here.