On 4 August a devastating explosion rocked Beirut, Lebanon, killing at least 190 people and wounding more than 6,500 others.

The explosion deeply shocked the global community, including many Lebanese Australians who call Sydney's inner west home. The Inner West Council made a generous donation of $10,000 to the Red Cross Beirut Explosion Appeal 2020 on behalf of the local Lebanese community and all inner west residents. The Lebanese Red Cross was first on the scene and has since responded bravely to the crisis.

However, its efforts have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and people around the world have rushed to provide critical support. The donation has helped first responders to provide victims with water, food, sanitation, shelter, first aid and other vital services in the immediate post‑explosion period as well as into the future.

I thank members of the inner west community for their generosity and leadership. I extend my deepest condolences to all those who have been impacted by this terrible explosion both in Sydney's inner west and in Lebanon.