Church bells and the Muslim call to prayer sounded on August 11 to mark a minute of silence for those who perished in the explosion devastating much of Beirut and its port a week earlier.
The port, badly damaged by a deadly explosion of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, resumed partial operations.
But the same cannot be said for the many in Beirut suffering wounds from flying glass and trauma and others trying to pick up the pieces of destroyed homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Some 300,000 people have been left homeless and more than 160 have been killed in the massive blast.
The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul reported that one of their members, Sr Sophie Khosrovian, died from her injuries. Beirut is the order’s provincial centre for the Middle East, and it is located less than a mile from the site of the blast.
The blast badly damaged several neighbourhoods in East Beirut where mainly Christians reside.
Caritas Lebanon has so far aided 35,000 Lebanese affected by the tragedy, providing medical and psychological support, despite its own offices being damaged.
The agency opened tents in strategic areas of Beirut “to reach out to the biggest number of people in need” and its army of volunteers is also going door-to-door to ensure that “help is delivered to people really in need”, said Caritas Lebanon director Rita Rhayem.