The people of Northern Ireland have been encouraged to "step up" and help the people of Beirut who have been devastated by a huge explosion.
On Tuesday, August 4, an explosion in the Lebanese capital flatten a large portion of the city, leaving at least 158 people dead, 5,000 injured and 300,000 homeless.
This has put health services in the city under a lot of pressure and there have been reports of medical supply shortages.
A number of fundraising appeals have been launched across the world in order to send aid and supplies to the city.
North Belfast man Fra Hughes, who has visited the city a few times in the past few years and has friends there, has encouraged people to help support and appeal that will send much needed medicine to city.
He has called on people to "step up" and help the "beautiful" city, recommending non-government organisation, Amel Association International, which supports the most vulnerable in Lebanon.
Fra said: "I have visited Beirut on a few occasions, where I have become involved in some community groups there.
"This explosion has devastated the people there, leaving 158 dead, 5,000 injured and 300,000 homeless and in need of food, medicine and shelter.
"My friends there have told me that medical supplies are of particular need, and I would like to see businesses that are able to, do there bit and donate what they can.
"People are desperate and we here in Northern Ireland need to step up and help them, in what ever way that we can.
"Amel is a well-recognized NGO and have a team of 800 volunteers and are operating health centres and mobile centres to help people on ground during this crisis, but they need your help."
Concern Worldwide, Ireland's largest aid and humanitarian agency have also launched an emergency appeal to help the people of Beirut.
It says that it will focus on providing shelter to the poorest communities whose homes have been destroyed or badly damaged.
Concern’s Regional Director Bríd Kennedy said: “The scale of the recovery challenge is daunting given the level of injury, devastation to homes and essential infrastructure, and the underlying poverty and economic crisis in the country.
“We have worked in Lebanon since 2013 and we have an experienced team on the ground who are assessing local needs and responding.
Concern’s Humanitarian advisor Dom Hunt said: “We have many years of experience of upgrading sub-standard shelters and it’s vital that we move quickly before the wet, cold weather arrives in the coming months.
“As long as we can get funds, we have the staff and the resources to make a real difference immediately to alleviate suffering.”
Concern will also be providing counselling and pyscho-social support to people.
Concern’s Lebanon Country Director Catherine Whybrow, said: “In a country which has suffered a 15-year war up to 1990, explosions trigger trauma and supporting people’s mental health is a vital part of our response."
To donate to the Concern Lebanon Emergency Appeal, visit www.concern.org.uk.
If you would like to donate to the Amel emergency appeal please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-fund-for-lebanon?nbsp
