Dearest Friends and Supporters,

Lebanon is very dear to my heart! It is my birth country and I still have family and friends over there. This tragedy has truly moved me and I have been feeling overwhelmed because there is so much I want to do but I feel powerless. At the same time, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to strive to do MY part in whatever way I can!

The shock explosion which ripped through Beirut this week plunged the city into an unimaginable humanitarian crisis with at least 150 people killed, more than 5,000 injured and 300,000 left homeless.

Caused by the ignition of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the explosion wreaked up to $5billion worth of damage, with buildings flattened and windows shattered for miles around. Even before the blast, the so-called Paris of the East was mired in economic disaster and struggling to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. Damage from the blast then forced three hospitals to close, leaving medics treating patients in the street.

Renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in the Middle East, the situation is unbearably bleak, and a range of short and long-term measures are urgently needed; firstly to provide lifesaving aid, and then to rebuild homes, hospitals and schools, and to offer mental health and trauma support.

For this reason, I am launching an emergency appeal with two-time world boxing champion Amir Khan, via a partnership between Salam Charity and Amir Khan Foundation, to provide emergency relief to victims, their families and all those affected by the explosion. After providing short-term aid, we will both visit the city to assess the fundraising needed to restore Beirut to its former glory.

Every donation will make a huge difference, showing the people of Lebanon that they are not alone as they confront this devastating human tragedy.

Thank you for your continued love and support.

Maher