BEIRUT BI ALEB ZAHLE: ADOPTING STREETS AFFECTED BY THE BEIRUT BLAST.
By Marita Reachi
Many national and international NGOs contributed to help after the 4th of August blast.
One of the national NGOs which did so with no hesitation was “Beirut Bi Aleb Zahle”. As the people of Zahle weren’t affected by the explosion, they surely went to help and volunteer. But the problem was there was no plan to help the volunteers know what to do or where to go. That was why Beirut Bi Aleb Zahle was launched.
We asked Jane Harmouche, a 20-year-old volunteer about this campaign: “Beirut Bi Aleb Zahle was initiated two days after the blast. Its main purpose was to help the affected people. So our plan was to adopt a street kilometers away from the location. We had the chance to adopt Rmeil Street. The NGO was divided into committees — marketing, training… — and also into 2 phases. Phase 1 was to fix the facades and doors of the buildings in the same street -by keeping the Lebanese Architecture alive — before winter — and thankfully it was done on time. Phase 2 was to provide some wine, arak, kaak and traditional zahle foods on Christmas to remind them of this City.”
Beirut Bi Aleb Zahle are calling other cities not affected by the explosion to do the same — adopt a street — to restore the damaged homes quicker. Beirut Bi Aleb Zahle has helped 75 homes till now, from technical to physical and mental help and needs to more. They are still training young volunteers months after the blast. We also asked Jane about their future plans. For now, they are still working in details to help the families. And when they’re done with Rmeil Street, they hope to move to another street with the help of volunteers and donations. This initiative is far beyond a helpful activity.
This is an account of devoted solidarity and assurance. It will be a piece of Lebanon’s set of experiences and the historical backdrop of its daring individuals. So much has been annihilated and lost to that disaster perpetually, yet the pith that makes this nation incredible remaining parts solid and alive: individuals’ caring association and love for their country.
