The ITF Seafarers’ Trust has announced a £75k GBP grant to help fund medical care for maritime workers injured in the 4 August explosion in the Port of Beirut and assist the families of those maritime workers who lost their lives.
Working with a committee of regional representatives, including the Union of Beirut Port Employees and the Lebanese Seaman’s Syndicate, the funds will be used to provide grants to cover medical expenses, subsistence and urgent welfare needs for affected maritime workers and their families.
Head of Trust, Katie Higginbottom said “The situation in Lebanon is dire, with existing problems compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic and now this devastating explosion in the port. The Trust is glad to be in a position to provide prompt emergency funding to ensure support for medical care and urgent welfare needs can be quickly provided to maritime workers and their families who have suffered in this disaster.”
Bilal Malkawi, Regional Secretary for the ITF Arab World Region said “Port workers and seafarers were caught at the heart of this disaster. As well as the immediate injury and loss of life, there are families who are now homeless and without support. This grant lets us react to the immediate needs of our colleagues in the Port of Beirut.”
Stephen Cotton, ITFST Trustee and General Secretary of the International Transport Workers Federation added “The ITF Seafarers’ Trust’s mission is the welfare of seafarers, maritime workers and their families, and this is never more important than in the face of a tragedy like this. As well as the grant from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, the International Transport Workers Federation has created an ITF International Solidarity Fund, which unions can donate to for the benefit of those affected by this tragedy.”
