Beirut blast: Dubai school pupils and alumni set up donation drive for victims

Initiative to help those affected in Lebanon was organised in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent

A helicopter puts out a fire at the scene of the explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

Smoke billows from an area of a large explosion that rocked the harbour area of Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The scene of the explosion that rocked Beirut. AFP

The harbour area with smoke billowing from an area of the explosion, Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

A man reacts at the scene of an explosion at the port in Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion at the port in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

People gather near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the blast in Beirut. AFP

The scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

A wounded man is checked by a fireman near the scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

A resident stands in the street by a destroyed car, following the explosion near by at the port of Beirut. Bloomberg

Lebanese Red Cross officers carry an injured woman following an explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. AFP

Smoke rises after the explosion was heard in Beirut. Reuters

Firefighters spray water at a blaze after the explosion in Beirut. Reuters

People walk at scene of the explosion in Beirut. AFP

The blast at Beirut port. Twitter/ @borzou

Army personnel around entrance to port.

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of the blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

The aftermath of blast in Beirut. Sunniva Rose / The National

Sailors leave their damaged ship near the explosion in Beirut. AP Photo

A vehicle stands damaged on a road following a large explosion at the port area of Beirut. Bloomberg

Firefighters try to extinguish flames after a large explosion rocked the harbour area of Beirut. EPA

People and journalists gather at the scene of an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

An injured man sits outside American University of Beirut medical centre on August 5, 2020. Reuters

Men stand before wrecked buildings near the port. Getty Images

A man walks by an overturned car and destroyed buildings. Getty Images

Lebanese soldiers stand outside American University of Beirut medical centre. Reuters

Injured people stand after the explosion. AP Photo

People gather by cars destroyed following an explosion at the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

Wounded people wait to receive treatment outside a hospital following an explosion near the Beirut port. AFP

School pupils and alumni in Dubai are collecting food and medical supplies to help the victims of the deadly Beirut Port explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital last week.

The donation drive, held from August 14 to 16, was organised by Al Mawakeb School alumni, in partnership with Emirates Red Crescent.

On August 4, 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded at Beirut Port, killing 171 people and injuring more than 5,000 as well as damaging tens of thousands of homes and shops.

“I’m heartbroken and angry over what has happened,” said Alissar Soubra, chief academic officer at the school, who is from Lebanon.

“When the explosion happened, I was overwhelmed by the amount of calls and messages from our alumni, the parents, students and friends from all over the world – everyone was devastated.

“It is our responsibility as humans to help those who need it and our incredible alumni stepped forward to organise this donation drive, with our current pupils and parents who will be volunteering their time to help us during the event.”

The school is encouraging residents to donate food and supplies including canned food, beans, rice, pasta and baby food and supplies.

Donations of basic medication can include first aid burn cream, cough and cold medications and antacids.

The school is also accepting antibiotic ointment, eyewash solution, thermometers, oxygen masks, gloves, and syringes with different sizes, among others.

Pupils as young as 16 are involved in the initiative and will be volunteering to help collect donations.

“Youth involvement in a drive like this is necessary because they are the fabric of the future. Youth that drives on empathy is what makes this incredible,” said Ms Soubra.

“It’s built into the culture of the students in the UAE, especially in our school. I find it amazing that they came together and produced this so quickly. It’s inspirational and their presence in our lives is necessary.”

Cash donations will not be accepted.

The drive will be held at Al Mawakeb School in Al Barsha, Dubai.

The UAE has stepped up to help the people of Lebanon in many different ways this week.

The art community has been screening films to raise funds to support Lebanese artists and restaurants have been running campaigns for donations.

UAE leaders have sent large shipments of aid to Lebanon since the explosion, including tonnes of Covid-19 equipment and millions in donations, which will go to Emirates Red Crescent's relief efforts.

This week, Dubai airport officials welcomed 163 passengers from Beirut with white roses as a show of support.