Grapevine // September 2024

Ways to help all the lives in Lebanon

Grapevine is a monthly list of recommended things to read (books not links), think about, experience, or see (mostly in Lebanon) including art exhibits, films, performances, or anything that I found inspiring with a focus on the physical over the digital.

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Nation Station in Geitawi have been preparing meals and gathering supplies for displaced folks. While cars were jammed for hours on the highway from the South after Israel issued “evacuation warnings”, one older man carried a sign with a message to others being expelled. It said, ”you will return with your heads held high.” That’s what is on the post-its photographed above.

Given Israel’s latest string of attacks on Lebanon, this month’s Grapevine is a list of inspiring organizations and funds that you can support (from anywhere) to help all the teams on the ground. With a completely absent state/useless government, the people of Lebanon have once again mobilized during a national and regional crisis. Our civil defense teams and first responders have been operating solo for months.

All have been vouched for by either myself or a trusted friend unless indicated otherwise with an asterisk (*).

This is not paywalled, please share it with your networks.

For supporting the FORCIBLY DISPLACED people all across Lebanon

• Emergency Response Coalition: VOICES OF THE UNSEEN

• Haven for Artists (see more info here)

• SAWA for Dev & Aid + Dammeh - Lebanon Fund

• Soufra in Bourj el Barajneh

• Dar Onboz’s Library-in-a-Box initiative: they’re distributing boxes of books (each box has at least $100 worth of books) to shelters and appointing one young person to manage as the community librarian. The goal is to give kids some entertainment and foster book sharing within our civil society early on. You can reach out (or DM me and I’ll send you the info) to send funds via Western Union.

OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES

• Private fund (details in the screenshot below) for the repair of an ambulance in Derdghayya where the Civil Defense Unit services 17 villages. Omar will be sending the funds to two volunteers at the station this weekend. Avoid mentioning Lebanon or Palestine in the descriptions as the transaction may be blocked.

• Roads for Life: they purchase equipment, build infrastructure, and provide training for Civil Defense

• Private fund for Lebanese Civil Defense Units in Bachoura, Beirut, and Tyre

• Lebanese Red Cross & Red Crescent

• Animals Lebanon* has been doing their best to help with things like veterinary care for injured animals, rescuing endangered species, transporting pets that were left behind, distributing food for homeless animals, providing food and medication, and more. Donate to their emergency GoFundMe.

• Mashala Shelter* in Nabatieh.

• Kassem Haydar* has been rescuing and feeding animals across the South.

SUGGESTION BOX

While donating to the above links is appreciated and necessary, we are less than 2 weeks away from hitting 1-year since October 7th. The genocide in Gaza continues, the south of Lebanon is being razed and emptied, and the Zentity shows no signs of slowing down with its new rampage across the rest of Lebanon.

This cannot continue so, while they feel useful, our actions need to be bigger than petitions, marches, and vigils. We, particularly those abroad in nations that are enabling the Zentity, need to get MOVING. Be disruptive.

But what can more we do? you ask. Let’s brainstorm and connect in the comments.