On the doomed August 4, 2020, 2,500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut, capital of Bambi’s birth country.
As a reminder, this largest non-nuclear blast in history (https://shorturl.at/E9X1u) resulted in 220+ deaths, 7500 injuries (some of whom are still in the coma, imagine), 800 regular floor admissions as well as 130 intensive care unit admissions, 300, 000 homeless people at once, 150+ permanent disabilities, over 3/4 of massive destruction of Lebanon’s capital, total destruction of 4 hospitals, and US$15, 000, 000, 000 worth of damage. To all this, one must add the collective trauma followed by migration to countries around the world, including Canada.
Thank Goodness, Bambi’s parents survived miraculously, despite the heavy destruction in their apartment and store. Her childhood friend was badly injured and now finally healed (thank God). Her brother-in-law and her niece were also injured. Sadly, as shared above, many residents of Beirut were not as lucky. Some of them were firefighters (the very first victims), police or internal forces, healthcare providers, patients, seniors, mothers, fathers, young adults, teenagers, and toddlers or infants. May their memory be eternal.
Unsurprisingly, there is still no justice for the Beirut port surreal explosion, despite the heroic courage of Judge Tarek Bitar. Of note, Bambi honoured him in a few older posts. She did the same with regard to the legendary tenacity of the families of the victims.
Bearing the above in mind, Bambi keeps on standing in full solidarity with these families. She thanks An Nahar for sharing pictures of their monthly silent, and likely smaller, demonstration in front of the Lebanese Emigrant statue (https://shorturl.at/pb4CR). She selected one of these pictures to share it with you, dear readers. It is her way of supporting these families while sending her love to the Lebanese capital at the start of 2025.
May the beautiful yet tired Beirut FINALLY see brighter days filled with increased safety, a sense of justice, peace of mind, love, and prosperity for all.