In response to the Beirut explosion on August 4th, the Lebanese Armenian Rehabilitation Commission was created, at the instigation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The Commission will cater to the needs of the families effected by the blast, as well as by the economic crisis and the Covid-19 in Lebanon.
The Prelate of Armenian Prelacy in Lebanon Bishop Shahe Panossian presided over the first meeting of the Lebanese Armenian Rehabilitation Commission in the Prelacy’s Yercho Samuelian-Yerakuyn Hall on August 9th, 2020, with the participation of leaders and representatives of the Armenian Community in Lebanon: the Armenian Catholic Church, the Armenian Protestant Church, Social Democrat Hunchagian Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Democratic Liberal party, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Educational Benevolent Union, Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon.
The meeting commenced with a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the explosion. Subsequently, Bishop Shahe Panossian presented His Holiness Aram I’s appeal, which was released a day ago on media, to all Armenians around the world. In the call, Aram I had stated that the calamity faced by the Lebanese Armenians is immense; therefor, every one should take part in the restoration process. His Holiness had listed the priorities the Commission should consider while executing the task, including rebuilding of the destructed houses, caring for those effected by the Covid-19, aiding the educational and religious institutions.
Following creating a roadmap for the commission, an executive committee was formed.
