ESSEC Alumni's Lebanon Chapter is setting up a fundraising campaign for the NGO’s active in Beirut to ensure that humanitarian aid is provided as quickly as possible to those affected by the explosion.

The terrible explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut Beirut on August 4th, 2020, has left hundreds of people dead, thousands wounded and at least 300,000 homeless. Thousands of lives are under imminent threat. Our ESSEC community has also been affected. Krystel el-Adm (E08), and Alexandra, the 3-year old daughter of Paul Naggear (E10), have died. 

Moreover, before this disaster, Lebanon was already affected by a major economic and political crisis. Nearly half of the population lives below the poverty line and the unemployment rate stands at 40%. Numerous families were already affected by food shortages and famine. The explosion has therefore considerably aggravated this already critical context and puts even more lives at risk.

In line with the humanistic and responsible values shared within the ESSEC Business School community, ESSEC Alumni Lebanon is organizing a fundraising campaign addressed to the entire ESSEC community, across borders. 

The two NGO’s chosen by ESSEC Alumni Lebanon are in line with the dedication and convictions of Krystel and Alexandra's parents, to best honour their memory and show our support to their families. 

The NGO Arc en Ciel is in continuity with Krystel's humanitarian commitment. It distributes food, clothing, furniture and provides shelter to people in need. It also works for education for all. Volunteers and social workers are deployed in the field to assess the needs of those affected. They provide medical assistance (wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, crank beds, medicines, physiotherapy sessions, health monitoring of the injured in emergency situations, etc.) and social support to citizens. The NGO is also responsible for the restoration of damaged furniture. It is brought to the Arc en Ciel workshop and repaired by local craftsmen. Finally, waste collection, sorting and recycling of glass, wood, metal, and electrical appliances are also organized. 

The NGO Offre Joie is involved in the reconstruction of the country, a commitment in which Paul and Tracy, Alexandra's parents, believe. Volunteers are deployed in the field to assess the damage to buildings, both residential and cultural. They are renovating 30 buildings, housing 150 families in the most affected and disadvantaged neighbourhoods. While waiting for the work to be completed, it is providing numerous shelters and a communal kitchen on site and is organizing waste management (recycling, sorting of useful waste and identification of toxic waste). 

These two NGOs are thus counting on the solidarity and support of its partners and friends to continue their actions and develop others according to the assessment of needs in the affected areas. To help them, ESSEC has opened a platform for you to donate. Every penny makes a difference, and the decision is yours. The funds collected will be equally distributed to these two associations, and you will be able to follow them thanks to a traceable mechanism.

Please donate here!