On August 4, 2020, Beirut experienced a devastating tragedy when a massive explosion in its port caused the death of hundreds and the injury of thousands of people of all nationalities. This explosion that was felt hundreds of kilometers from Beirut also caused the destruction of residential, commercial, and historic structures. The consequences of this disaster were felt immediately and will be experienced for years to come.

This tragedy exacerbated the economic collapse that Lebanon was experiencing that was already distressing the lives of most of its inhabitants. In addition to leaving thousands of people with no shelter, the explosion destroyed the infrastructure of multiple hospitals, schools, and community-service centers in Beirut.

Saint Porphyrios Association was established in 2000 for the purpose of assisting vulnerable people in Beirut, especially with access to healthcare, schooling, and life necessities. The Association is under the patronage of the Orthodox Archdiocese in Beirut and has access to its human resources with an extensive database of the most vulnerable within its geographic jurisdiction. In this tragedy, the Association is focusing in the short term on the most urgent needs of the populace, which is the renovation of the destroyed Saint George Hospital, the schools and the nursing home as well as supporting the most vulnerable members of the community. Our goal is to secure the necessary donations and deploy them in an emergency response to the disaster, to get the community back on its feet with a particular focus on the most vulnerable.

The Association is governed by a management board and audited by Ernst & Young, and reports to an independent Board of Trustees.

We call for your support and ask for your cooperation in working together to assist our community that has been hit by an unprecedented disaster.