The explosions that occurred in Lebanon on August 4 have left a massive trail of destruction. Over 200 people have died, 6,000 were injured and thousands of families have been rendered homeless, at a time when the country is grappling with the COVID-19 health crisis.
When Turbans 4 Australia heard that Sydney's Lebanese community is helping out by sending aid back home, they offered their support.
Receiving the generous donations earlier today, former mayor of Liverpool Council and Lebanese community activist Ned Mannoun said, "I just want to thank the Sikh community and Turbans 4 Australia for their wonderful support. When Amar said to me that they will drop off a few things at 11am today, I didn't think they'd show up with nine pallets of donations."
Donations by Turbans 4 Australia in solidarity with Sydney's Lebanese community Source: SBS Punjabi
"We're greatly humbled by their generosity," he added.
Founder of Turbans 4 Australia, Amar Singh said it felt like a duty to help out "mates".
Dropping off nine pallets of non-perishable grocery and other daily use items at a collection centre set up in Preston town of Liverpool area, Mr Singh said to SBS Punjabi "Lebanon is completely shattered due to the blasts and as a community, it is everyone’s duty to come forward and provide every possible help to the families affected."
Donations made in solidarity with Sydney's Lebanese community Source: SBS Punjabi
"COVID has hit us all hard, but this is even worse. I'm told around 100,000 kids in Lebanon are now disadvantaged - first with COVID and not with this explosion. I urge everyone to lend a hand."
Mr Singh said today's donations included some first-aid, sanitary, and pantry items to show the Sikh community's solidarity and support.
Source: SBS Punjabi
Mr Mannoun said, "What's happened back home is tragic and I hope no community in any part of the world ever goes through what the people of Beirut are suffering right now. But it is wonderful to come together as one humanity and show our support to each other."
"This demonstrates we're all brothers and belong to the same family," he told SBS Punjabi.
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