This is how PMI gave back to Beirut

Weeks after the devastating explosion that ripped through Beirut, killing around 200 people, injuring thousands, leaving more than 300,000 people homeless, and causing unspeakable damage across the Lebanese capital, individuals and companies are still raising money for disaster relief, to help both Beirut and its people get back on their feet and move forward.

Among the donations that have been raised, the employee donation matching programs are the ones that caught our attention, as they show the employees’ belonging and commitment to their companies, and the love felt toward Beirut by both individuals and businesses.

One moving example of the employee donation matching programs is PMI’s,”Project with a Heart”.

Beirut has a special place in the heart of Philip Morris International (PMI), who stepped forward to help offer support by raising money on a global level. PMI employees were mobilized around the globe, from Latin America to East Asia, proving yet again that they are more of a family than just employees. Their generosity was breathtaking, raising the amount of $67000 in a matter of a few weeks, which the company offered to match raising the total to $134000.

On the ground, in the devastated Lebanese capital, PMI Lebanon employees jumped in to support Beirut and the Lebanese people, distributing food boxes to 500 families in the areas affected by the blast that tore down their homes and their businesses, and pledging to renovate an apartment building in Mar Mikhael that was the home to 35 families before the explosion. The team in Lebanon met with the representatives from the Building's committee as well as with contractor, and as some families decided to remain in their windowless and doorless apartments, with nowhere else to go, the reconstruction works had to start the soonest. Thanks to a local contractor who was kind enough to help in the works pro-bono, the renovation and rehabilitation of the building have started, ensuring these families will have their homes back in no time.

All these efforts were also done in coordination with Live Love Lebanon, a local nonprofit organisation who has done an impressive job since the day of the blast. They have established a call center and processed all the data available of damaged buildings in the areas close to the blast. Their volunteers have been on the ground every day doing assessment of damages in apartments and buildings and bringing together donors and victims from the blast, to ensure that that the people who have been affected by the explosion get the support they need.

Giving back to the Lebanese Red Cross

In addition to the employees’ intitiative, PMI Lebanon decided to give back to the Lebanese Red Cross. Its volunteers have not only been at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since March, but they were also the first responders on the day of the explosion, as Lebanese Red Cross ambulances and emergency teams were deployed immediately to the scene providing assistance to over 23,700 people affected, and doing heroic work in the disaster area. But the devastating Beirut port explosion had its toll on the NGO, as one of its main stations in Gemmayzeh was severely damaged.

PMI quickly decided to stand with the Lebanese Red Cross and committed to provide support and aid during this difficult time; The PMI management mobilized very quickly, like numerous other donors and multinationals, and donated $300,000 to help rebuild the station in Gemmayzeh.

Beirut and its people are far from recovery, however PMI stands in solidarity with them, pledging to provide them with support and hope.