Following the Citizen Scientist-led research in Hamra, Beirut and in Al Mina, Tripoli and in collaboration with charity CatalyticAction, the RELIEF Prosperity Team has launched the Prosperity and Vulnerabilities research in Beirut for the neighborhood of Mar Mikhael, one of the most affected neighborhoods by the 4th of August Beirut port blast. The research is part of the GCRF funded project “Assessing Vulnerabilities for urban recovery solutions in Beirut Post-Explosion”.
The Mar Mikhael Research is in collaboration with CatalyticAction that champions the co-production of dignified built environments where everyone can take part in the creation of equitable, inclusive, and sustainable communities. We recruited twelve local researchers (Citizen Scientists) who joined our Mar Mikhael Prosperity Team following an open call that received more than 50 applications.
The open call was specifically tailored to recruit local key stakeholders working in affected areas of Beirut city, such as Nusaned, Himaya, and the Mar Mikhael Church.
We conducted two Citizen Scientists training workshops at the beginning of March 2021 at the Grand Meshmosh Hotel in Gemmayzeh. The workshops allowed the team to introduce the project and start engaging with citizen scientists in exercises relevant to the Vulnerabilities Research focusing on housing, livelihoods and mental health, while introducing them to the Household Survey that they will be conducting throughout March and April.
Citizen Scientists shared their views and understandings:
On Livelihoods: “We were living in luxury, we didn’t know it’s worth”
“The explosion is a double edged sword, some jobs were lost and others were born”
On housing:
“Before the blast we used to feel safe, now there is no more safety… what if the blast happens again?”
“I didn’t use to put a lock on my door before the explosion”
On mental health:
“We used to plan for long term projects, now it’s day by day”
“Who is thinking about mental support when they need to eat? When they lost someone… it’s gonna stay there their whole life”
The fieldwork in Mar Mikhael is scheduled to start this week, stay tuned for more news about our work in Beirut.