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On August 4, a massive explosion shook Beirut, Lebanon and left more than 200 dead and more than 6,000 injured.

Around the world, people and organizations have come together to help as thousands of lives changed forever in a matter of seconds. Before the explosion, food, hygiene and health needs were already grave as a result of COVID-19 and economic crises.

Considering the impact of this disaster on colleagues, friends and neighbors – and their loved ones – DTE mobilized to help. The DTE Foundation granted $25,000 to support Inkster-based Zaman International’s Lift Lebanon fundraising campaign, a joint effort with the International Medical Corps, which aims to get the community back on its feet and remain in place until it has done so.

“Seeing this tragedy take place, especially during the pandemic, was truly heartbreaking,” said Steve Ambrose, vice president and CIO as well as the Asian and Middle Eastern American (AMEA) employee resource group executive champion. “It’s amazing how quickly people have stepped up to help. We’re grateful to be in a position to deliver much-needed aid to the people of Beirut, who have many direct connections to our friends, family members and our Lebanese-American colleagues at DTE.”

Zaman International’s partnership with the International Medical Corps allows donation dollars to have a stronger, more positive impact on the people of Lebanon.

Interested in contributing to the Lift Lebanon fund? Donate now!

“This is one of the largest blasts in human history. The devastation of 300,000 displaced people is traumatic and an estimated 80,000 of that number are children,” said Najah Bazzy, founder and CEO of Zaman International. “Our focus at Zaman International is to get women and children to a self-reliant place. That’s what we love about International Medical Corps – they won’t leave an area until it’s back on its feet. They have been in Lebanon long before the blast and will continue to work with us to strengthen the area.”

The DTE Foundation also awarded a $5,000 grant to Center for Arab American Philanthropy (CAAP) as they work with the Lebanese Red Cross to deploy ambulances, medical attention, blood drives and more. 100% of all donations, plus a match of $0.50 for every dollar donated, will be granted to Lebanese Red Cross.

Interested in contributing to the Center for Arab American Philanthropy fund? Donate now!

The DTE Foundation grants come from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) that the DTE Foundation established with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to support 501(c)(3) public charities in providing relief to people and families who are the victims of a natural disaster, emergency, act of terrorism, or war. For more than 10 years, the DRF has provided immediate assistance of food, clothing and shelter to the worst-affected victims; helped bring essential organizations and infrastructure back on-line and assisted in the rebuilding of communities.