The explosion that thundered in Beirut on August 4, 2020 was a great tragedy that claimed the lives of many citizens and caused massive destruction to the city. BEMO Bank felt the need to take action and intervene, and therefore launched a program sent out in a press release, consisting of helping clients and non-clients with quick credit to rebuild their homes and offices and collect their equipment.
Initiative
Bemo Bank launched the “Bemo Revitalize Beirut Initiative”, which aims to support Lebanese citizens and businesses through donations to various non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and medical institutions.
In addition, the Board of Directors allocated an amount to support NGOs for the following reasons: the reconstruction of Beirut, education and cultural heritage, and women-led businesses affected by the explosion in the port of Beirut.
The bank’s chairman, Riad Obaji, says the bank was one of the participants in the Beirut Recollect event, which was held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Beirut port explosion through words, images and music broadcast live on national television.
Through the BEMO Bank Staff Volunteership Program, the Bank mobilized 41 volunteers from among its staff and friends to provide 203 hours of assistance during the assessment phase of the reconstruction of houses affected by the Beirut bombing, as well as to facilitate the collection of data and information related to several NGOs involved in mitigating the alleged effects of the explosion, in addition to preparing and distributing food.
laptop for learning kids
Bank Bemo, according to An-Nahar newspaper, has partnered with insurance company Insurance Comin to develop the “Laptops for Teaching Our Children” initiative to support Lebanon’s education sector, which has been undermined by the ongoing economic crisis characterized by poverty and unemployment following the port explosion. Beirut and the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Visual Arts Competition
Banque Bemo has launched a fine art competition in honor of the endless heroism of the volunteers who helped rebuild Beirut after the harbor explosion. The competition was open to professional and amateur artists of all ages who had the opportunity to submit their artistic proposals to BEMO Bank. The winning bid was reproduced on a large-scale mural displayed on the façade of the Bemo Bank building in Achrafia.
Industrial Excellence Award
Bank Bemo launched the Industrial Excellence Award in partnership with Saint Joseph University’s Faculty of Business Administration and Administrative Sciences to instill the need for excellence and excellence in Lebanese industry. This is in line with the Bank’s goal to help restore confidence in the Lebanese economy and alleviate the burden and challenges it currently faces.
wounded art
Banque Bemo organized an exhibition called “L’ArtBlessé” at the Audi Villa and at the Debneh Palace in Saida as one of its sponsored activities to support the arts in Lebanon. L’ArtBlessé is a new artistic expression inspired by kintsugi and trauma therapy.
The explosion in the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020 left deep wounds in our souls: we lost our loved ones, some of us received physical injuries, and the explosion, in addition to the destruction of property, left great psychological consequences.
Like people, the arts in Lebanon suffered: many artists were injured, many works of art and workshops were destroyed.
L’ArtBlessé can be divided into three parts: the first part of the works is inspired by the disaster, the second part consists of damaged works of art that are exhibited without any actual restoration, but these works have gone through a process of improvement and decoration, and the third section has been transformed stage designer Jean-Louis Mengi, curator of the exhibition.
Our goal is to eliminate the consequences of evil with the help of art.
On the anniversary of this catastrophe and in honor of the dead, it is not enough to heal the wounds and overcome the wounded, we must be born again and enjoy life more and better.
We hope that this work will help illuminate the path for each of us in strengthening the resolve so that we never forget and never give up.
Back to the roots of rice
Lebanon is going through the most difficult phase in its modern history as confidence in its institutions and its future has been lost, leading to the emigration of large numbers of its citizens, as well as high levels of unemployment, poverty and loss. hope. Through its recently launched Back to the Roots of the Cedar initiative, Bemo Bank aims to restore faith in what Lebanon stands for and increase the sense of belonging among people with Lebanese roots. Thus, the Bank allocated 100 new planted cedar trees for 100 people who participated and registered.
100 names were selected in a lottery held on November 22, Independence Day, at Beirut International Airport.
In addition to its aforementioned goals, Bemo Bank has sought to shed light on the injustice suffered by Lebanese women who are unable to pass on Lebanese citizenship to their children. Thus, the initiative was initially open to persons of Lebanese origin whose parents do not have Lebanese citizenship. Through this initiative, Bank Bemo is stepping up its support for Lebanese women and the need for them to get their full rights.
Obaji concludes that he is sticking to his resilience in Lebanon “due to our commitment to our people and the services we provide to clients with confidence and we will continue until the last minute.”
Source: El Iktisad
