Solidarity with Beirut and the people of Lebanon
6 August 2020
The Socialist International is deeply shocked and saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the massive explosion in the port of Beirut on Tuesday 4 August. As a result of the blast, at least 135 people have been killed, with several thousand injured and more than 300,000 displaced or made homeless. The extent of the material damage is vast, with buildings across half of the city destroyed, including residential areas, hospitals and important infrastructure in the port and surrounding areas. The scale of the devastation is truly dreadful, and the SI expresses its full solidarity with the people of Beirut and Lebanon and all those affected, including the SI-member Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) and its members.
This disaster could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon. The country currently faces overwhelming challenges on multiple fronts as it confronts an economic and financial crisis that has seen its currency massively devalued and half the country sink into poverty, exacerbated by corruption and political mismanagement, for which the government must face up to its responsibilities. Lebanon continues to host the largest number of refugees per capita in the world, the majority of whom have fled the civil war in neighbouring Syria. All of the country's economic, political and social problems have furthermore been exacerbated and amplified by the global pandemic in recent months, leaving it ill-equipped to deal with the aftermath of devastation on this scale.
International assistance for Lebanon will therefore be crucial if it is to overcome this catastrophe, and the SI calls for immediate and significant support from the international community. The immediate priority must be to prevent further suffering and loss of life by locating survivors, treating the injured and providing for the many people who now need shelter and food. In the months ahead, great investment will be needed to rebuild the city and the livelihoods of all those impacted. The SI is encouraged by the pledges of aid and quick mobilisation of resources from all corners of the globe. It urges all countries and organisations that are in a position to do so to pledge and deliver the targeted aid that will be crucial to Beirut’s recovery.
It is self-evident that this tragedy should never have been allowed to happen, and a full investigation is required in order to establish how and why 2,750 tonnes of the chemical ammonium nitrate were stored for years in the port of Beirut despite repeated warnings about the severe danger from such a potent explosive. This should take place with international involvement and transparency in order that those responsible can be held to account.
To overcome this event will require extraordinary amounts of compassion, cooperation and determination, as has been witnessed in the middle of the unfolding tragedy, when the citizens of Beirut offered each other assistance at their time of greatest need. The city has previously confronted severe hardships and we look forward to the re-emergence of a vibrant Beirut and to returning to a place where our organisation has held many significant and successful meetings. The thoughts of the Socialist International and all of its member parties are with the people of Beirut today and we will continue to stand alongside them through this difficult and challenging time.
Press coverage:
الاشتراكية الدولية: لتحقيق دولي شفاف للتمكن من محاسبة المسؤولين عن انفجار بيروت
Nna-leb.gov.lb, الخميس 06 آب 2020 الساعة
وطنية - تلقى "الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي" بيانا أصدرته "المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية"، وقد أعربت فيه عن "صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى"... Read more
Google translation:
Socialism International: for a transparent international investigation to be able to hold accountable those responsible for the Beirut bombing
Nna-leb.gov.lb, Thursday August 06, 2020
National Hour - The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its "deep shock and sorrow as a result of the damage caused by the huge explosion that occurred in the port of Beirut on Tuesday." August 4, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands, while more than 300,000 citizens became homeless... Click here for PDF
"الاشتراكية الدولية": لتحقيق دولي "شفاف" للتمكن من محاسبة المسؤولين عن انفجار بيروت
Anbaaonline.com, 6 August 2020
أعربت "الاشتراكية الدولية" عن صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت يوم الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديًا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصًا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى... Read more
Google translation:
Socialist International: for a "transparent" international investigation to be able to hold accountable those responsible for the Beirut bombing
Anbaaonline.com, 6 August 2020
The "Socialist International" expressed its deep shock and sadness at the devastation caused by the huge explosion that occurred in the Beirut port on Tuesday 4 August, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands, while more than 300 thousand citizens became homeless. . . Click here for PDF
الاشتراكية الدولية": لتحقيق دولي شفاف في انفجار بيروت
Almarkazia.com, 6 August 2020
تلقى "الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي" بيانا أصدرته "المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية"، وقد أعربت فيه عن "صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى"... Read more
Google translation:
Socialism International: "a transparent international investigation into the Beirut bombing."
Almarkazia.com, 6 August 2020
The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its "deep shock and sadness as a result of the destruction caused by the huge explosion in the Beirut port on Tuesday 4 August, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands." While more than 300 thousand citizens are left homeless. "... Click here for PDF
"الاشتراكية الدولية": لتحقيق دولي شفاف في انفجار بيروت
Mtv.com.lb, 6 August 2020
تلقى "الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي" بيانا أصدرته "المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية"، وقد أعربت فيه عن "صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى"... Read more
Google translation:
International Socialism: A transparent international investigation into the Beirut bombing
Mtv.com.lb, 6 August 2020
The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its "deep shock and sadness as a result of the destruction caused by the huge explosion in the Beirut port on Tuesday 4 August, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands." While more than 300 thousand citizens are left homeless. "... Click here for PDF
"الاشتراكية الدولية": لتحقيق دولي شفاف في انفجار بيروت
Alhadeel.net, 6 August 2020
تلقى "الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي" بيانا أصدرته "المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية"، وقد أعربت فيه عن "صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى" ...Read more
Google translation:
International Socialism: A transparent international investigation into the Beirut bombing
Alhadeel.net, 6 August 2020
The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its "deep shock and sadness as a result of the destruction caused by the huge explosion in the Beirut port on Tuesday 4 August, killing at least 135 people and injuring thousands." While more than 300 thousand citizens are left homeless. "... Click here for PDF
الاشتراكية الدولية: لمحاسبة المسؤولين عن انفجار بيروت
Alahdath24.com, 6 August 2020
الاحداث - تلقى "الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي" بيانا أصدرته "المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية"، وقد أعربت فيه عن "صدمتها وحزنها العميقين جراء الدمار الذي تسبب به الانفجار الضخم الذي وقع في مرفأ بيروت الثلاثاء 4 آب، موديا بحياة ما لا يقل عن 135 شخصا، وإصابة الآلاف، فيما أصبح أكثر من 300 ألف مواطن من دون مأوى"... Read more
Google translation:
Socialism International: To hold accountable those responsible for the Beirut bombing
Alahdath24.com, 6 August 2020
Events - The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its "deep shock and sadness at the damage caused by the huge explosion that occurred in the Beirut port on Tuesday 4 August, killing at least 135 people and injuring Thousands, while more than 300,000 citizens are left homeless. "... Click here for PDF
الاشتراكية الدولية: لتحقيق دولي شفاف للتمكن من محاسبة المسؤولين عن انفجار بيروت
New Hub, 7 August 2020
وطنية - تلقى الحزب التقدمي الإشتراكي بيانا أصدرته المنظمة الإشتراكية الدولية ، وقد أعربت فيه عن صدمتها وحزن... Read more
Google translation:
Socialism International: for a transparent international investigation to be able to hold accountable those responsible for the Beirut bombing
New Hub, 7 August 2020
NNA - The Progressive Socialist Party received a statement issued by the International Socialist Organization, in which it expressed its shock and sorrow.