Many people may have heard of the news regarding the explosions in Beirut recently. While this misfortune could have been avoided, the only positive aspect is the hope Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are providing to the survivors of this disaster.
The Beirut Explosion
On 4th August’2020 an unfortunate tragedy at Beirut, Lebanon occurred where a series of explosions extensively damaged properties and killed more than 200 people, injuring and displacing several thousands of them.
The explosion was caused by Ammonium nitrate, some 2750 tonnes of it stored in a warehouse for 6 years, possibly triggered due to firecrackers, as informed by the Lebanon Government.
It is being said that the intensity of the explosions were so massive that tremors were felt as far as 240 kms in the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus, thus making it one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history.
NASA Image Mapping
On 8th August NASA,the American Space Agency’s ARIA (Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis) Team working together with Earth Observatory of Singapore used synthetic aperture radar data received from space satellite, released mapped images of the exploded areas for the extent of damage done around the port of Beirut.
(Image Credit:- NASA)
NASA :- "On the map, dark red pixels – like those present at and around the Port of Beirut – represent the most severe damage, Areas in orange are moderately damaged and areas in yellow are likely to have sustained somewhat less damage. Each colored pixel represents an area of 30 meters (33 yards)."
The Financial Condition Of Lebanon
The economic situation in Lebanon has been in doldrums since a very long time with endless corruption as fellow PUBLISH0X writer ‘The Lebanese Girl’ has explained it in her blogs in detail:- a) Post-1 b) Post-2
Poverty rate with hyper inflation has increased considerably over the years. The financial crisis together with the corona virus pandemic and the utter government apathy has created a feeling of distrust among the citizens of Lebanon.
Fund Raising The Bitcoin Way!
To help survivors of this explosion in Beirut a novel fund-raising program has been initiated using Bitcoin & other cryptocurrencies as donation money. 'International Medical Corps (IMC)' together with 'Blockchair' and ‘TheGivingBlock’ a non-profit bitcoin payment processor have started a #BitcoinForBeirut hashtag asking help from the crypto-community to raise $1,000,000 USD in Bitcoin (BTC).
(Twitter-IMC #BitcoinForBeirut)
J.Whitney Broadwell of the IMC in a email chat with BitcoinMagazine said:- “We’re seeking people to spread the word on social to help raise awareness for #BitcoinForBeirut to the crypto community to help be a part of the solution.”
Broadwell stressed the need for help saying that the Beirut explosion left 220 dead, 6,000 injured and at least 80,000 children included among the 300,000 displaced from their homes. Covid-19 pandemic in Lebanon has 77,000 confirmed cases as of 14th August further adding misery to the already gloomy situation. She further added that IMC has provided 54,300 people with medical facilities and health care supplies in Beirut.
Donations Can Be Made at:-
- TheGivingBlock #BitcoinforBeirut
Hoping for the best to the people of Lebanon.
Thanks for Reading.
