Volunteers at a local NGO have set up a tent next to the hard-hit Electricité du Liban to register the names of people requiring food aid. Some of those standing in line for hours under the scorching heat are not from Mar Mikhael, nor from areas where homes were damaged; they are some of the many who lived below the poverty line even before the blast, and who have walked miles to get food for their families.

With up to 700 visitors a day, Caritas NGO set up a tent to provide medical care, psychosocial support and food relief to the most hard-hit communities, with 90 volunteers covering services 24/7.

After the dust from the blast settled, young people from all walks of life picked up brooms and started the clean-up process. It was an overwhelming act of kindness that was appreciated by everyone: “We were offered a ride by a taxi driver who refused to take our money because he knew we didn’t really have money but wanted to go to Mar Mikhael to help,” said one volunteer.

The children of WHO staff in the Lebanon country office came together to help organize WHO supplies for distribution to public and private hospitals across the country. “It’s the least we could do to help the people affected and those who will benefit from these supplies,” said one volunteer.

“Beirut doesn’t die” a huge billboard stands over a congested group of people waiting to sign up for food aid and other social assistance.

The whole city is shell-shocked. People reach out to each other for comfort and reassurance but sometimes it takes more than a hug or a friendly face. Local NGOs are offering professional counselling and trauma support for free to anyone who calls or visits one of the many tents strewn around the most affected areas in Beirut.