Start relief campaign

Schalkhaar, 16 November 2020

Action that started with an explosion on 4 August in the port of Beirut received a lot of support in the Netherlands. Many donations, together more than € 20,000, came in at the OVA foundation, Support Veterans Activities about Beirut.

They took care of the management of the funds until we could indicate a good destination together. For me it was especially important to be able to offer direct help to local NGOs in Beirut and that every euro donated would also be spent on that.

In the weeks of the action there was a lot of support from fellow Unifil veterans. The cooperation of the Dutch Unifil Association and the Veterans Institute were very welcome. After the first week I came into contact with Sumeya Mua Hamie from Containers of Love. A lot of beautiful things have arisen from this collaboration. What about the national collection which resulted in the shipping of 8 sea containers with relief goods. So many people who have been busy with that. How we can help many people in Beirut!

But much more is needed. So apart from the use of the current funds, the action will continue in the new foundation VVL: Veterans for Lebanon.

And the great news is that today the first two cheques were handed out in Beirut!

A check of €5000,- to Christian volunteers for repairing houses. They do this especially with the elderly in the affected neighborhoods of east Beirut. A lot of windows are replaced with this and doors are repaired so that those houses are closed again for the winter.

The second cheque of €11.000,- is for Containers of Love. Sumeya's team  in Beirut uses the money for two purposes. €4000,- for the distribution of food parcels to those who need them most. In addition, they will use € 7000.- to repair houses and provide the most necessary household goods.

Thank you very much for all the donations. Any contribution remains welcome. We will keep you informed of the results of this action.