This report was conducted by CARE, in partnership with ABAAD, UNESCWA, UNFPA, and UN Women.
- We found that of the affected households living in the explosion radius, 8% were older women living alone, and 51% self-identified as female-headed, who have increased vulnerabilities around economic stability and risks of gender-based violence.
- Approximately 5% reported family members who were pregnant or lactating and whose access to continuous reproductive and health services has been disrupted.
- According to initial estimates, men were more likely to die from the explosion, while women were more likely to be injured.
- The impact of the explosion has already seen a reduction in employment opportunities for women; female headed households were 10% less likely than male headed households to report at least one member generating income in the weeks after the explosion.
- Risks of sexual and gender-based violence increased, due to multiple families living in crowded settings and the lack of public streetlights.
- Understanding the gender specific nature of intersectional risks and taking into account voices and demands from feminist, women’s rights, and LGBTIQ+ actors in Lebanon is critical to avoiding harm and facilitating equitable and empowering humanitarian response and recovery interventions to the Beirut port explosion.
The assessment combines a secondary review of existing data with primary data collection. Secondary analysis included reviewing 45 reports, sit-reps, and needs assessments published by United Nations (UN) agencies, international and non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs) since the explosion and conducting gender analysis on three quantitative datasets from assessments carried out in response to the explosion. Primary data consisted of 16 key informant interviews (KIIs), 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 17 participants, and 16 community interviews – a total of 49 people overall.
