The previous SEIA Data Explorer section allows users to explore the data, question by question, across all neighborhoods. In this section, we present a different tool that allows users to dive into the data for the neighborhoods that have sufficient data.

Below we show Medawar as it is the Neighborhood where Karantina lies. We selected  Achrafieh, Bachoura, Zoukak-El-Blat, Remeil for exploration, all available by request.

Key findings

• 52% of respondents earn less than 3 million LBP while 8% earn more than 10 million LBP. This illustrates the socioeconomic range within Achrafieh.
• Four times the number of households earn less than 3 million LBP in Achrafieh when compared to Medawar. Although the average resident in Medawar earns less than the average resident in Achrafieh, the high population of Achrafieh results in a high number of low income residents.
• 30% of households have an elderly inhabitant.
• Only 7% of households were not affected by the blast. 71% sustained minor damage, 21% sustained structural damage, and 2% of homes were totally destroyed.  

Medawar

As a neighborhood close to the blast site, households and businesses in Medawar were significantly impacted by the blast. As a historically deprived neighborhood, households in Medawar experience several levels of compounded vulnerabilities that make them more susceptible to shocks, such as the blast.

The interactive exploratory tool displays each household as a single point. Explore the results by using the group by, shade by, and compare by functions. Hover over a point to see the full profile for that household.

Fig 5.a Medawar SEIA Data Explorer, use the parameter toggle box on the bottom right to explore the data interactively 

Key findings

• 30% of households in Medawar are under old rent contracts, compared to 16% for Beirut as a whole. As described in the LNOB report, many families remained in structurally unsound homes out of fear of losing their old rent contracts. 
• The main income earner for over half of households is either unemployed, retired, or freelancing. Without a secure, continuous income stream, families are likely to face increasing vulnerability to shocks as cost of living continues to rise while their purchasing ability continues to drop. 
• 62% of households make less than 3 million LBP per month. As a neighborhood that was heavily impacted by the blast, families faced undue cost burdens to recover and rehabilitate their homes.

Achrafieh

As one of the most populous and largest neighborhoods in Beirut, Achrafieh is home to a wide range of groups. As compared to the Beirut average, a higher proportion of households earn greater than 10 million LBP, however 52% of households earn less than 3 million LBP illustrating the diversity of socioeconomic groups that live in Achrafieh.  

In terms of absolute numbers of respondents, there are four times as many households that earn less than 3 million LBP in Achrafieh when compared to Medawar. This illustrates that while the neighborhood perspective offers valuable information, the aggregating information can hide essential insights. See section on What defines a neighborhood for further detail.  

To help counteract the effect of aggregation, the survey results for Achrafieh are presented below in an interactive exploratory tool, where each household is represented by a single point. You can slice and dice the result by using the group by, shade by, and compare by function. 

Fig 5.b Achrafieh SEIA Data Explorer, use the parameter toggle box on the bottom right to explore the data interactively 

Key findings

• 52% of respondents earn less than 3 million LBP while 8% earn more than 10 million LBP. This illustrates the socioeconomic range within Achrafieh.
• Four times the number of households earn less than 3 million LBP in Achrafieh when compared to Medawar. Although the average resident in Medawar earns less than the average resident in Achrafieh, the high population of Achrafieh results in a high number of low-income residents.
• 30% of households have an elderly member.
• Only 7% of households were not affected by the blast. 71% sustained minor damage, 21% sustained structural damage, and 2% of homes were totally destroyed.

Bachoura

As the neighborhood with the second highest multidimensional vulnerability score and given its proximity to the blast site, Bachoura was significantly impacted by the explosion. Only 1% of households did not sustain physical damage. Considering the existing compounded vulnerabilities, such levels of structural damage would be debilitating for families in Bachoura.

The interactive exploratory tool displays each household as a single point. Explore the results by using the group by, shade by, and compare by functions. Hover over a point to see the full profile for that household. 

Fig 5.c Bachoura SEIA Data Explorer, use the parameter toggle box on the bottom right to explore the data interactively

Key findings

• 81% of households make less than 3 million LBP per month, which is broken down into 47% earning 1-3 million LBP per month, and 34% earning less than 1 million LBP. 
• Only 1% of households did not sustain physical damage from the explosion. 87% sustained minor damage and 12% experienced structural damage (e.g. broken walls)
• 35% of families had a member who experienced injuries as a result of the blast. 3% sustained serious injuries, permanent disabilities, or lost their lives.

Zoukak el-Blatt

Although Zoukak el-Blatt is of approximately the same size as Saifeh, it has a population of 19,000 as compared to has 6,000 inhabitants for Saifeh. The population density of Zoukak el-Blatt indicates a higher level of vulnerability, which the MVI analysis confirms as it has the third highest MVI score in Beirut.  

The interactive exploratory tool displays each household as a single point. Explore the results by using the group by, shade by, and compare by functions. Hover over a point to see the full profile for that household. 

Fig 5.d Zoukak el-Blatt SEIA Data Explorer, use the parameter toggle box on the bottom right to explore the data interactively 

Key findings

• 1/3 of households have a family member that sustained minor or major injuries. 
• 77% of household main earners have a total monthly income less than 3 million LBP. 33% earn less than 1 million LBP.
• 25% need support finding a job. Unemployment is pervasive across neighborhoods but is exasperated further by increased difficulty in finding employment, especially with the concurrent COVID and economic crises. 
• 16% of respondents in Zoukak el-Blatt requested psychological support. Expectedly, the explosion likely triggered past associated traumas for families, many of whom likely lived through decades of war and turmoil. Mental illness or disability is a critical vulnerability that, especially when compounded, can cause or sustain other vulnerabilities.  

Remeil

Gemmayze and Mar Mkhael, two areas in Remeil, were heavily affected by the blast and became the focal point for recovery efforts across a range of organizations. As a historical neighborhood that has been undergoing gentrification over the past couple of decades, a wide range of inhabitants and businesses exist in Remeil. Protected by old rent contracts, many families have remained in their homes for generations while other apartments are now occupied by a younger crowd, often in short term rentals. The diversity of the neighborhood indicates a diversity of vulnerabilities, which should be kept in mind as recovery programs are designed.  

The interactive tool allows the diversity of Remeil to be explored as it displays each household as a single point. Explore the results by using the group by, shade by, and compare by functions. Hover over a point to see the full profile for that household. 

Fig 5.e Remeil SEIA Data Explorer, use the parameter toggle box on the bottom right to explore the data interactively 

Key findings

• Almost half of households in Remeil need cash assistance, while only 1% received any cash aid. Such data must be used to prevent a mismatch between family needs and type of interventions offered.
• 37% of households have an elderly member, compared to 29% across Beirut. As described in the LNOB report, the currency crisis has wiped away savings for many elderly people who also often lack social security and employment opportunities, making them particularly vulnerable to shock.
• 41% of households sustained structural damage or complete destruction as a result of the explosion. The remaining 59% of homes experienced shattered glass and minor damage. None of the households were unaffected.