By Soraya Dali-Balta, IFRC
On the evening of 12 November, a deadly double-explosion rocked the southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanese Red Cross has stated that 43 people were killed and at least 239 were injured, many of whom are in a critical condition. Thursday’s blasts were the first to hit Beirut since June 2014, spreading fear among the people about the potential return of frequent deadly incidents.
Immediately after the blasts hit the Burj Al Barajneh area in southern Beirut, Lebanese Red Cross dispatched 60 responders and 12 ambulances to the scene to provide assistance to the wounded, according to a statement issued by the society soon after the incident. The volunteers of the National Society transferred the seriously wounded to nearby hospitals in the capital and also provided first aid services to those whose injuries did not require hospitalization.
A blood donation drive was launched by the National Society to meet the growing needs at hospitals where the injured were being treated, collecting more than 50 blood units that evening and delivering them immediately to where they were most needed.
Throughout the country, Lebanese Red Cross volunteers are always among the first to respond to events of this kind. Thanks to the trust in people and communities have in these lifesaving volunteers, critical and urgent assistance can be provided wherever and whenever needed.