On August 4, news of major explosions at the port of Beirut spread around the world, along with astounding videos[1] and images. It quickly became apparent that the damage was extensive and that many in Beirut had been killed, injured or had become casualties of extensive property damage.
And the tragedy came at a precipitous time for those in Beirut. A years-long economic crisis and the strains caused by the novel coronavirus in Lebanon have resulted in skyrocketing exchange rates, widespread distrust of banks and a rising interest in alternatives like Bitcoin[2].
In an effort to help victims in Beirut while leveraging this sound, borderless money, the International Medical Corps (IMC) has partnered with blockchain search engine Blockchair[3] and non-profit BTC payment processor The Giving Block[4] to launch #BitcoinForBeirut. This fundraiser seeks to solicit BTC donations to help fund IMC’s range of caregiving services in the city.
“We’re seeking $1 million to get lifesaving care to the survivors of this horrific blast,” explained J. Whitney Broadwell of IMC, in an email to Bitcoin Magazine. “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.”
Though the goal is lofty, Broadwell emphasized the incredible need for help in Beirut, with some 220 people killed, 6,000 injured and 300,000 people — including at least 80,000 children — displaced from their homes. She also noted that Lebanon had more than 7,7000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of August 14, further complicating recovery efforts.
Broadwell said that to date, IMC has reached more than 54,300 people in Beirut with medical supplies and personal protective equipment; providing supplies to eight hospitals in the area
