The Aftermath of the Beirut Blast: Interview with Soraya

The Aftermath of the Beirut Blast

Interview with Soraya

Soraya (IS) was in Beirut last summer when a devasting explosion rocked the city. I sat down with Soraya as she shared what she witnessed and how her family stayed to help those affected by the disaster.

INTERVIEW BY AFIYAH ALIM, ALUMNAE AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Vases fell off the shelf, the ground shook, chairs were thrown about the room, lights flickered, glass shattered, and the front door burst open. I heard sirens roaring and people screaming in the street. My mum grabbed my brother and me and dragged us into the hallway away from the window. I was confused and we did not know what was happening. We thought it was an earthquake or a bomb, but then when we looked through the window, we saw a large cloud of pink chemical smoke.”

Soraya talking to Linda, a 90 year old woman who lives near the site of the explosion

Can you describe to us what you and your family experienced?

social media had a massive influence on our fundraising. Our page was shared on Twitter by newsreaders Mishal Hussein and Emily Maitlis and coupled with our friends and family, we were able to raise even more money. This is what spurred us on. We started by creating food parcels — people did not have water or electricity and needed to eat. We set up a tent to distribute these and people saw our efforts and joined in, with the whole community helping where they The day after the explosion my family and I were eager could. A man who needed food parcels as his house was to visit the affected areas to see how destroyed offered the use of we could help. We were really lucky as our house is in West Beirut and the port, where the explosion happened, “Vases fell off the shelf, the ground shook, chairs his pickup truck, which was vital in transporting the 450 gallons of water and food we is in the East of the city. Our door blew off and our windows shattered but compared to what we saw, we counted ourselves very lucky. were thrown about the room, glass shattered...” were distributing every day. Donations from our GoFundMe page allowed us to offer food parcels, water and There was talk of international aid coming but little other essential supplies, but some people just wanted immediate emergency relief. We feared that this would to talk — we were providing emotional support where be seen as just more political turmoil in the Middle East we could. There are also so many other vital things that but in fact, this was a mammoth humanitarian disaster. they needed like nappies, and we also collected and My family and I wanted to do something. With the help of delivered prescriptions and medication to the elderly my aunt in London, we set up a GoFundMe page with an who couldn’t leave their homes – we tried to do as much initial target of £1,000. We reached our goal in less than as we possibly could. 24 hours and then it just grew from there. The power of

RIGHT: Soraya distributing emergency food parcels to those in need

Volunteers helping a large family to relocate to a safer area A tent that was set up by volunteers in an affected area

Soraya’s aunt handing out food to a little boy Volunteers assessing damage to an elderly person’s house

One of the people who we helped was Fouad, a 40-year- work! I have had dyscalculia, a Maths related learning old taxi driver, with a 12-year-old son and a wife. difficulty, for a long time and it was one of my teachers Fouad and his family were at home when the explosion who transformed the way I thought about school and happened. Their house is around 500 metres from the work. She pushed me on the right track and helped me site of the blast. While Fouad suffered only minor cuts, understand Maths! I would see a bunch of random digits his wife broke her back. She required an operation and and she helped me through it – she was really inspiring, stayed in hospital for over a and this is why I want to become a month. We were able to cover the medical bills as well as rehousing them into a ground floor flat, as his wife was unable to walk unassisted. Donations to the fund also allowed us to repair Fouad’s taxi to allow him to continue to support his family. He was happy to be back at work and his family are now living in a safer and more comfortable home. “When I look back at last summer, I realise just how lucky we are” teacher. I’m also really interested in Middle Eastern politics and am doing my Extended Project Qualification on the Beirut explosion and the political situation in the region. I feel people just normalise tragedies, especially in the Middle East, but I want to make a big thing about this explosion — because it is! It shocked so many families and devastated a city that is very close to my heart and I want to do as much as I can. How has life changed after last summer and what are your plans for the future? When I look back at last summer, I realise just how lucky we are. This experience has taught me that all of us, no I was traumatised and shaken after what I saw. Coming matter who we are, can raise awareness. Anyone can back to Queen’s has been really nice. My teachers and make a real difference in people’s lives, especially in their friends have been so caring and supportive and the hour of need. response to our donation page has been amazing. After Queen’s I want to study education and become Visit Soraya’s GoFundMe page: https://uk.gofundme. a primary school teacher; that’s my plan but I don’t com/f/sakaan-family-beirut-emergency-fund really like Maths, so I don’t know how that’s going to