BEIRUT (Middle East Eye) – In the wake of the port blast in the Lebanese capital Beirut on 4 August 2020, which killed more than 200 people and caused widespread destruction in surrounding areas, several civic groups and NGOs have been trying to fill gaps left by the government to mitigate the effects of consecutive crises at individual and community levels.
Among them is Rebirth Beirut. The Lebanese NGO had helped the most vulnerable people affected by the blast by supplying plastic sheeting for the shattered windows, food and medical support, and organizing social and cultural initiatives.
Then it decided to light up the streets of Beirut.
Founded by Gabriel Fernaine in September 2020 as an immediate response to the aftermath of the Beirut blast, the organization renovated an empty building in Gemmayzeh, one of the neighborhoods most damaged by the explosion, and turned it into a cultural center.
As explained by Samar Hawa, the organization’s project and development advisor, Rebirth Beirut’s mission is to revive the capital and bring hope back to its people through a series of initiatives, including lighting up the streets, rehabilitating traffic lights and repairing potholes.
“Light is life. If there is light in the streets, people can stay outside longer. Shops and restaurants can stay open longer,” she told Middle East eye.
“We had amazing feedback from the community. Some restaurant owners told us their revenues increased after the relighting of the public lights. There is more pedestrian traffic, and people feel safer walking the streets at night.”
To switch on the public street lights of Beirut, Hawa said Rebirth Beirut relies on private diesel generators and provides electrical power cable installation by hiring contractors. In return, private citizens who supply electricity to street light poles through their diesel generators receive a discount on their bills.
To bring power back to traffic lights, Rebirth Beirut has installed solar panels either on top of them or on the rooftops of buildings close to intersections.
As of today, the NGO has lit up 22 streets across the city, and 12 are scheduled to be turned on by the end of August. Meanwhile, 13 sets of traffic lights have been brought back to life.
For funding, Rebirth Beirut counts on private institutions and individuals. It also organizes art exhibitions to use part of the profit to start new projects.
Hawa said living in darkness has dispirited people, and the project has given them a sense of safety and has worked as an economic booster.
“The historical image of Beirut as a nightlife hotspot is no longer there when there is darkness. But when light is back, you can remember the true image of Beirut as a city of life,” she said.