The devastating explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital on 4th August 2020 changed Beirut’s port and historic centre within seconds from a bustling hub of businesses, cafés, shopping malls and homes into a wasteland of tangled metal, shattered roofs and walls, blown out windows and twisted door frames. With more than 200 people dead and thousands injured, the city reeled. It was not only the terrible toll of human lives that left people shocked and dazed, it was the blast’s terrifying suddenness, coming as it did without warning in the quiet of a summer evening.
“I thought we were all going to die” said one expatriate humanitarian worker who had recently arrived in Lebanon.
It was not only lives and livelihoods that were destroyed by the blast – the city’s cultural heritage was also devastated. Hundreds of 18th and 19th century historic buildings and palaces, as well as museums, libraries, art galleries, and people’s homes were damaged instantly.
Immediately following the horrendous explosion, Blue Shield International (BSI)’s then president, Karl von Habsburg, went straight to Beirut to discuss BSI’s support with the authorities, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He met with local and international organisations, and with Lebanese Blue Shield National Committee (LBSNC)’s staff and volunteers. BSI coordinated the securing of funds from the Prince Claus Fund, ALIPH Foundation, Gerda Henkel Stiftung and the British Council for a three-month emergency safeguarding programme for damaged historic buildings. in partnership with the Lebanese NGO Biladi to raise funds to help identify immediate security and safety needs for 600 historic buildings, eight museums, 15 libraries, and 10 art galleries using a specially designed digital Damage Assessment Platform.
Building on a long-term partnership which began in 2013 between the Blue Shield, Biladi, the Directorate General of Antiquities, LAF, and UNIFIL, the partners were also able to secure and stabilise historic buildings that had been damaged in the blast, including the one housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Blue Shield is honoured to host the reconstruction archive of the lead architect – Jean Samaha – who lead on the MOFA reconstruction.
As a result of this long-term partnership, and the securing and stabilising work following the explosion, the Blue Shield signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNIFIL on ‘Cooperation regarding Cultural Property Protection’, and supported LAF in its plan to develop a Cultural Property Protection capability in its Independent Works Regiment. Blue Shield’s (current) President, Professor Peter Stone, returned to Beirut for two training courses, organised and facilitated by Biladi, for LAF’s Independent Works Regiment, followed by a training for UNIFIL personnel.
The following January, BSI was honoured to receive a gift and letter of thanks from the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) for our support to LAF for the protection of the damaged historic buildings
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Recording the damage
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Award from LAF
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Funders
This work could not have been accomplished with generous contributions from the Prince Claus Fund, ALIPH Foundation, Gerda Henkel Stiftung and the British Council.
