Schneider Electric has announced its participation in Beirut’s reconstruction following the huge explosion at the Lebanese capital’s port in early August, by supporting families affected by the blast.
Walid Sheta, Regional President of Schneider Electric Egypt, North Africa, and the Levant, said the company is always keen to play a pivotal role in supporting societies worldwide to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis, the Schneider Electric Foundation’s ‘Tomorrow Rising Fund’ was launched to support emergency situations in disaster areas, and long-term reconstruction,” Sheta said. “The fund’s priorities are to respond immediately to the needs of low-income people in disaster areas, and to finance educational projects and professional skills development for community members.”
The fund is set to provide support to Lebanon and urge various companies and institutions to participate in the reconstruction of the affected areas in Beirut. More than 200 people were killed and over 4,000 were injured in the huge explosion, which also caused financial losses of over $15bn.
Schneider Electric is also cooperating French organisation Semeurs d’Avenir (IECD) to contribute to the repair of damaged schools, and private and public technical institutes located in the vicinity of the explosion. These include French-Lebanese Technical Institute (ITFL), Al-Marsoubian, Al-Qurtbawi, Dekwaneh, and Bir Hassan. Schneider Electric will provide sustainable and renewable energy sources, technical equipment and wiring for institutes, as well as support job creation initiatives.
Schneider Electric is working to distribute 1,000 solar powered LED flashlights to families made homeless following the Beirut port explosion. This is taking place in cooperation with SOS Attitude / Arc en Ciel, Electricians Without Borders, and SEEM.
Sheta noted that the fund is also designed to enhance the involvement of Schneider Electric employees and the company’s partners in voluntary operations and activities around the world.
He added, “With the Beirut port explosion occurred, it was important for Schneider Electric to participate, through the Lebanon Development Fund, in the reconstruction operations in an attempt to provide support to the Lebanese people and to mitigate the effects and repercussions caused by this tragic accident.”
