Manildra mobilises basics for Beirut after blast
When a catastrophic explosion of stored fertiliser devastated Lebanon’s capital city of Beirut in August 2020, Australians joined the global relief effort in response one of the biggest non-nuclear detonations ever witnessed on Earth.
Killing an estimated 200 people and leaving another 6,000 injured and 300,000 homeless, the blast mobilised Australia’s Lebanese community to deliver donations of critical resources, said Sydney-based Basics for Beirut campaign organiser Nicole Gazal.
Starting ‘Basics for Beirut’ to engage the wider Australian community in helping those most- affected – including her own friends and family – Ms Gazal told The Cultivator of “incredible” support for the campaign with “donations from people in all corners of Australia”.
Among the critically needed supplies to help feed and care for people affected by the humanitarian, public health and economic crises exacerbated by Beirut’s enduring economic collapse and COVID-19, were pallets of Manildra Group’s The Healthy Baker flour and Sunshine Sugar staples and Stay SafeTM hand sanitiser gel.
With access to sanitisers to combat the ongoing spread of COVID-19 having been significantly impacted by the blast, Manildra Group Director Caroline Honan said the family- owned agribusiness was able to support Basics for Beirut with 70 per cent alcohol Stay SafeTM sanitisers as a crucial component of donated essentials deployed from Australia.
“Basics for Beirut is an exceptional organisation providing immediate and longer-term humanitarian support to those affected by the explosion, and continuing to stay safe through the pandemic,” said Ms Honan
“The catastrophic explosion, sent shockwaves through the world – leaving more than 300,000 people including 100,000 children homeless.
“We hope our donation will help support Beirut families and small businesses to get back on their feet,” she said.
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