SHARJAH — Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of Sharjah’s ruler, chairperson of the Big Heart Foundation and eminent advocate for refugee children at UNHCR, announced on Monday the launch on "Salam Beirut", emergency aid and relief campaign from Sharjah, following the tragic explosion in Beirut port, which has claimed over 150 lives and left an estimated 300,000 homeless.

"Salam Beirut" aims to bring relief to the affected population whose numbers continue to rise as Lebanese officials pick through the wreckage. The first phase will focus on providing medical aid, food and water supplies and shelter to victims, which will be mobilized by the Sharjah-based global humanitarian organization, the Big Heart Foundation in coordination with on-ground relief operators in Lebanon.

Furthermore, the foundation officials along with their local partners will carry out a detailed assessment of the damage to property to implement targeted activities and provide affected households with rehabilitation support including rubble removal, in addition to solutions to boost vital services such as electricity, sanitation, plumbing and carpentry.

Announcing the campaign on Twitter, Sheikha Jawaher wrote, "What has hurt Beirut has hurt us all", and called on all individuals and organizations in the UAE and worldwide to lend a helping hand. "Our brothers and sisters in Lebanon need us and we must do our best to fulfill our moral and humanitarian duty towards them. We know no other way but to stand firmly beside those who lost everything overnight — their loved ones, their homes, their livelihoods and their safety — to this shocking tragedy."

"The ‘Salam Beirut’ campaign follows the strong humanitarian spirit and directives of Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the UAE’s Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah, to stand by nations in their time of need. Through this campaign, we reiterate that Sharjah and the UAE are with every family and individual in Lebanon. Our communities are inseparable."

"We pray to Allah Almighty to have mercy on the victims, heal the wounded, guide those who are missing back to their homes, and give strength to those who lost their loved ones," the foundation’s chairperson added.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health and Beirut Governorate, the accident has claimed 157 lives, left more than 5,000 wounded and dozens of missing persons, in addition to the thousands of families whose houses were partially or totally destroyed. An estimated 300,000 people have been left homeless. — WAM