A member of the ARF Lebanon Central Committee, Hagop Havatian, told Aravot Daily in an interview about the situation in Beirut after the explosion that 11 Armenians were killed, 1 or 2 Armenians are missing, and the majority of the 250 wounded Armenians have received preliminary treatment and are already doing relatively better. According to him, there are also Armenians who are severely wounded and injured, but thankfully, their condition is not life-threatening.
Regarding the destruction, Hagop Havatian said, it is widespread especially in the Armenian community of Bourj Hammoud and the Armenian neighborhoods of Beirut. There are buildings that are completely or partially destroyed, as well as buildings that have been somewhat affected.
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He also said that there are Armenian families that have become homeless, but many of them were able to move in with relatives or national organizations were able to help them come up with solutions.
According to Havatian, many Armenians have expressed willingness to provide lodging to these families, which he considers to be a major way to overcome this tragedy. National, religious, educational, charity, and political organizations have also suffered a lot of damage. Havatian said that they are continuing their cleaning efforts. The Bourj Hammoud municipality is also participating in these efforts.
Young Armenian volunteers are also participating in the cleaning efforts. According to Hagop Havatian, the cleaning efforts may take about a week. The process of evaluating the damages has begun. The state system has also begun this process. However, all of Lebanon is currently in an unprecedented economic crisis.
Havatian said that the state is unable to provide widespread support, which is why the Lebanese-Armenian community needs the strength and support of all Armenians in Armenia, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. When asked if people have the desire to move to Armenia after some people expressed the desire to welcome Lebanese-Armenian families in their homes in Armenia, Hagop Havatian said that Armenia is the homeland of Lebanese-Armenians and they have a rich history and present with Armenia and Artsakh. Many of them already have homes in Armenia. “Lebanese-Armenians recognize their homeland, which will always remain a part of their hearts, but encouraging them to come back in large numbers is inappropriate. The main goal right now is the support of the Armenian community so that we can come out of this tragedy united,” he stressed.
When asked about when it will be possible to return to a somewhat normal life, Hagop Havatian said that it is not possible to predict that now because this is the second attack against Lebanon. The country was in a severe economic crisis, the banking system had collapsed, the currency was worthless, then the coronavirus spread, and now the explosion. It will take a long time for the country to get back on its feet, but the Lebanese-Armenian community has expressed its determination and will to wait and participate in the efforts to come out of this tragedy. He expressed hope that Armenians will unite as a people.
Gohar Hakobyan
