Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Monday, Jan 13, 2025

Beirut explosion: first Lebanese woman to climb Everest helps in aftermath, praising ‘resilience’ of her people

Beirut explosion: first Lebanese woman to climb Everest helps in aftermath, praising ‘resilience’ of her people

Fatima ‘Tima’ Deryan was in her home in Dubai watching in horror as the footage of the explosion in Beirut unfolded. She was racked with guilt as her home country was plunged into crisis.

“Everyone has been affected, including my family. One of the really affected areas is called Karantina, it’s more like the slums of Lebanon, so I went straight there,” she said.

More than 200 people were killed and thousands injured when 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded in a port in Beirut on August 4. The blast destroyed or damaged large parts of the city.

Deryan is the first Lebanese woman to climb Everest, having scaled 19 mountains in her career. She attributes her determination in the hills to her upbringing in Lebanon and sees her attitude reflected in her fellow country people.

“What is great about the people of Lebanon is that they are so resilient. The city is getting back to life,” she said.

That is not to say it is anywhere near normal. The government continues to ignore Karantina, despite families loosing their entire homes, she said. Deryan has been working with an NGO called Borderless.

“The explosion, everyone was affected, poor and rich. But the rich are dealing with it. When you go to that poor side, and you see the government is not doing anything to help, you see multiple NGOs that have zero relationship with the government,” Deryan said.

With no schools and stressed parents trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, Deryan and Borderless host a clinic every day where children can come for education, mental health support and activities.

“We link up with other organisations who can provide activities and look after the children’s needs,” Deryan said.


“I’m a life coach, not a psychologist, but I can have conversations. When I listen to the children, it started about how they lost a family member. They’d start imagining that their heads were cut off, rockets, and the blasts,” she said.

“Their imaginations are really wild. But now they are drawing what they want to do in the future, how they want to change Lebanon, how they want to help others.”

Deryan is using her social media influence and position in the climbing community to draw attention to the issues in Karantina. She hopes the news cycle will not just move on. Houses are still in ruins, windows are still smashed but glass prices have been driven up by demand.


Fatima Deryan atop Mount Everest. The resilience needed for mountain climbing is reflected in all Lebanese climbers.


“People outside Lebanon, they can donate. They can donate to the Red Cross or another organisation like Borderless, because it is credible,” she said.

“Lebanon does not need food, we have received a lot of food. At this point, Lebanese need mental support, money to rebuild their homes and for education. We cannot stop covering, and thinking about the people of Lebanon,” she added.

“It is true Lebanese are resilient, but at some point we will break.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Rising Casualties and Intense Diplomacy: The Conflict in Gaza Continues
Joseph Aoun Elected as Lebanon's New President: Ending a Prolonged Power Vacuum
Joseph Aoun Elected Lebanon’s 14th President Amid Political Stalemate
Trump Signals Shake-Up at the Pentagon Amid Transition Concerns
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Trump's Last-Minute Bid to Block Sentencing in New York
Escalating Conflict in Gaza: Casualties Surge as Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Escalation in West Bank: Israeli Boy Killed in Palestinian Gun Attack
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Trump's Appeal to Delay Sentencing in New York Hush Money Case
Lancet Study Reveals Underestimation of Gaza War Death Toll by 40 Percent
Global Acclaim Follows Election of Lebanon's New President Joseph Aoun
Saudi Leaders Extend Congratulations to Joseph Aoun, New President of Lebanon
UN Accuses Israel of Restricting Humanitarian Aid in Northern Gaza
US Pledges $500 Million Military Aid Package to Ukraine
Ethiopia Endures a Series of Earthquakes in Brief Timespan
Joseph Aoun: Lebanon's Fourteenth President Amid a Legacy of Challenges
President Biden Reports Meaningful Progress on Gaza Agreement
Lancet Study Reveals Higher Gaza Death Toll than Official Reports
Global and Arab Welcome for Joseph Aoun's Election as Lebanon's President
Biden Cites 'Real Progress' in Gaza Deal Talks Amid Intense Negotiation Efforts
Escalation in Gaza: Casualties Rise Amidst Ongoing Negotiations
Escalating Conflict in Gaza: Casualties Surge as Negotiations Continue
Quaker Group Cancels NYT Ad Over Dispute on Gaza Terminology
IDF Imposes Media Restraints Amid Legal Concerns For Soldiers
Trump's Counter-terrorism Nominee Urges UK to Repatriate British IS Members from Syria
Uncovering Iraq's Mass Graves: A Haunting Search for the Missing
Kurdish Commander Appeals to Trump for Continued U.S. Military Presence in Syria
Global Powers Call for Stabilization Efforts in Syria Amid Transition
Syria at a Crossroads: The Unceremonious Collapse of the Assad Regime
Trump's Syria Conundrum: Staying Out May Be Easier Said Than Done
Syrian Rebel Leader Pledges to Dismantle Assad's Notorious Prisons
Escalation in Gaza: Increased Casualties Amid Ongoing Conflict
Dissecting Luxury: A Study of American Society in the Digital Age
Escalating Violence in Gaza as Ceasefire Negotiations Intensify
US Eases Missile Technology Export Regulations for Key Allies
Escalation in Gaza Conflict: Fatal Strikes and Escalation in the West Bank
Gaza Cola: A Palestinian Initiative Aimed at Rebuilding Amidst Conflict
Poland Shuts Consulate in Saint Petersburg Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Miracle at Sea: Baby Born on Migrant Vessel Rescued by Spanish Coast Guard
Saudi Crown Prince Engages in Diplomatic Dialogue with Ukraine’s Zelensky
Israeli Military Recovers Body of Hostage in Gaza, Evidence Suggests Son Also Killed
Explosion at Ammunition Depot Rocks Syria's Idlib Region
Saudi Arabia Battling Unprecedented Floods Amid Torrential Rains
Cease-fire Negotiations in Qatar: No Timeline for Resolution
UN Seeks Additional $371.4 Million for Lebanon Amidst Ongoing Crisis
Saudi Arabia Continues Aid Bridge to Syria Amid Ongoing Crisis
Israel Declares West Bank a 'Primary Arena' of Threats Amid Escalating Conflict
U.S. Sanctions Shake Sudan's Political Landscape Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli Military Recovers Body of Hostage from Gaza
Violence Escalates as Al-Qaeda Militants Clash with Malian Army
Hamas Rebuilds Military Capabilities as Israeli Soldiers Face Legal Challenges Abroad
×