I'm back in Lebanon, ready to get to work
The recent economic crisis has devalued the currency by 70%, at a time when the country is only beginning to recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns and a devastating explosion in the Port of Beirut that left 300,000 people homeless. These are compounded by years of chronic underinvestment in Lebanon’s immense human capital.
I return to Lebanon with three goals in mind:
Help with food distributions to families on the brink of poverty. In the past week we have raised $1,200 for an emergency food distribution, in partnership with the Lebanese Food Bank. We aim to raise $25,000 to support food parcels to 700 families around the country, impacting an estimated 3,000 vulnerable individuals. Recognizing the service of men and women in uniform, Empower Lebanon will allocate 20% of the parcels to military families who have been hit particularly hard by the crisis. A $36 donation--the cost of a food parcel--helps a family get by for weeks.
Check in on families victimized by the Port of Beirut explosion. Partnering with the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, Empower Lebanon is funding repairs for five families whose homes had been damaged by the August 2020 blast in the Port of Beirut. It fills my heart to see these families return to their homes.
Support Lebanese firefighters. With countless wildfires ravaging the countryside, last summer was a rough one for the Lebanese Civil Defense Corps (volunteer firefighters), who are responsible for responding to these types of emergencies. In cooperation with the US Embassy and the US Army Civil Affairs team, we partnered with the Lebanese Army Civil Military Cooperation Directorate and Yahchouch Municipality, home to the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, to support the local Civil Defense Corps. On Saturday, we’ll be formally transferring the supplies to the municipality at an event, sponsored by Empower Lebanon, intended to highlight Lebanese-American solidarity. Stay tuned!
A lot is happening, as you can see. As a Lebanese-born American, I feel that it is my duty to do what I can for the country that forged me. I know you share that feeling.
We all know that the challenges facing the Lebanese people are staggering. We also know that it’s time for action. We need to act quickly to help all communities in Lebanon, not a specific area or a group - all of Lebanon. That is my commitment to Lebanon and to you.
Join me and support Empower Lebanon as we work to improve the lives of the Lebanese people.