In two postings on its Facebook page, the ARF in Lebanon reported on the extent of the destruction affecting the Armenian community. The first report mostly dealt with the sparsely populated Armenian community in West Beirut. The second report dealt with the East Beirut where the Armenian community mostly settled especially after the extended civil war in Lebanon that lasted from 1975 to 1990.
FIRST REPORT. THE SITUATION IN THE ARMENIAN REGIONS AFTER THE BEIRUT PORT DISASTER
• The highest number of Armenian victims is registered in Mar Mikhael, Beirut.
• In the same neighborhood, the Armenian houses are almost collapsed and need major repairs.
• In Ashrafieh and Khalil Badawi, windows, doors, electrical items and some furniture are mostly destroyed.
• In Western Beirut and Hadath, houses are relatively less damaged.
• According to ARF "Kristapor" Chapter, the houses of about 600 Armenian families were damaged in Beirut.
• Immediately after the disaster, the youth of the region started carrying out rescue work. The cleaning and removal of wrecks has being carried out with the support of Homenetmen Beirut, and, in some cases, with the help of Homenetmen Antelias and Jdeideh branches. Members of AYF and ZSA have also actively participated in these activities.
• Once the first stage of cleaning has been completed, the windows and doors are being temporarily repaired.
• Homeless families have been temporarily relocated to hotels, and a large number of families have taken refuge in their relatives' homes in other areas. Relatives of many families living abroad are already reaching out for help.
• Food is being supplied through the joint efforts of foreign organizations and the ARF “Kristapor” Chapter. Lunch, breakfast and dinner, as well as canned food are provided.
• Youth service groups coordinate their fundraising and relief activities with the Chapter so that the immediate needs of all families can be met.
• The ARF “Kristapor” Chapter, in cooperation with the ARCL, also tries to provide medical care through psychologists to the Armenians who have mentally suffered from the horrors of the disaster.
• Other than food supply, the “Kristapor” Chapter also provides financial assistance to needy families for their immediate and other necessities.
• It should be added that the churches, clubs and educational institutions in the region have been subjected to extensive demolition.
• The renovation of the houses in the Beirut region and the reconstruction of some are part of the general work of the Lebanese-Armenian rehabilitation process.
• Armenian communities abroad are organizing internal fundraising campaigns. This big tragedy that hit Armenians of Beirut needs full pan-Armenian support, for which the work has already passed from the stage of planning to implementation.
STATEMENT №2: THE SITUATION IN THE ARMENIAN STREETS OF BOURJ HAMMOUD AFTER THE BEIRUT PORT DISASTER
ARF “SARDARABAD’’ CHAPTER.
• Arax, Marash, Armenia, and Abraham Ashdjian Streets suffered the most damage. Giligia Street suffered relatively minor damages.
• Around 125 people were injured in those regions. Some of them were passerby and shop owners, since shops were still open at that time.
• 12 persons are seriously injured.
• The balconies and interior walls of some houses have collapsed, while in other houses, windows, doors and household items are damaged.
• According to preliminary estimates, 75% of the Armenian houses and 80% of the shops are damaged.
• Immediately after the disaster, ARF youth and volunteers transported the injured people to Sardarapat Club, where, on the initiative of the Chapter, emergency volunteers performed preliminary treatments until the ARCL Socio-Medical Center was opened and the majority of the injured people were treated there, where a big number of Armenian doctors have rushed.
• The Sardarabad Chapter is conducting preliminary damage assessment at this stage to be prepared for future reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives.
• The Chapter also collaborates with Armenian and foreign humanitarian associations to distribute food and other necessities, as well as directs the relief work of a range of competent individuals and supports the basic needs of needy families.
“ROUPEN” CHAPTER IN TIRO REGION
• 75% of the Armenian houses, and 80% of the shops are damaged. Some houses have serious damages.
• There are 4 seriously and 35 lightly injured people.
• ‘’Roupen” Chapter is now conducting damage assessment, as well as assisting needy families.
‘’TRO” CHAPTER IN ARAKATZ
• 80% of the houses are damaged. The balconies and internal walls of 3 houses are destroyed.
• There are 1 severely and 10 lightly injured people.
• The Chapter is providing humanitarian assistance, as well as conducting damage assessment by visiting Armenian families.
“ISHKHAN” CHAPTER IN SIS
• 35% of the houses, and 50% of the shops are damaged. 3 houses are completely destroyed.
• There are 2 severely and 6 lightly injured people.
• The Chapter is providing humanitarian assistance and conducting damage assessment.
“NIGOL TOUMAN” CHAPTER IN TRAD
• 25% of the houses, and 25% of the shops suffered some damage, which is relatively less than in other areas.
• There are some lightly injured persons.
• The Chapter is conducting damage assessment.
“S. TEHLIRIAN” CHAPTER IN AMANOS
• 20% of the houses, and 10% of the shops have minor damages.
• There are 2 lightly injured persons.
• The Chapter is conducting damage assessment.
THE INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF BOURJ HAMMOUD MUNICIPALITY
• An hour after the disaster, the mayor of Bourj Hammoud mobilized the police and municipal working groups, who carried out road clearing and debris removal activities.
• Members of HMEM, ZSA and AYF, non-governmental organizations, municipalities of other regions, as well as a large number of Armenian volunteers from other Armenian regions participated in this work. Through big public support, it was possible to complete the initial cleaning phase in a very short period of time.
• The municipality coordinates and cooperates with international and local humanitarian organizations, which provide food and other necessities to the people.
• The municipality supports and facilitates the activity of professional groups from the UN, the local and the international non-governmental organizations. In the first stage, they will examine the damaged buildings and conduct damage assessment. This activity is performed to check the safety of the buildings.
• One week after the disaster, life in Bourj Hammoud is relatively normal, but the rehabilitation of this central cradle of Armenians should be the priority of all Armenians at this stage.
• Bourj Hammoud is not just an Armenian territory, but a region and a people that has left its great mark in the modern Armenian history. We believe that the guarantee of its persistence will be fulfilled by pan-Armenian efforts and work.
P.S. - We will address the situation of the national, religious, partisan, union, educational and humanitarian establishments of Bourj Hammoud in a separate statement.
ARF MEDIA OFFICE
No comments:
Post a Comment