Beirut Port Explosions Response

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BEIRUT PORT RESPONSE EXPLOSIONS Beirut Municipality Rapid Building-level Damage Assessment Municipality of Beirut and UN-Habitat October 2020 Working Version

With support from Citation format: Municipality of Beirut and UN-Habitat (2020), Beirut: UN-Habitat Lebanon. Copyright © 2020 Municipality of Beirut and UN-Habitat. All rights reserved. Cover photo: © UN-Habitat (2020). PARTNERS Engineering and construction companies:

Academic institutions:

International non-governmental organisations:

CREDITS UN-Habitat Lebanon Authors: Elie Mansour; Georges Abi Sleiman. GIS and IM: Christelle Bercachy. Data Analysis/Visualization and Report Production/Design Layout: Georges Abi Sleiman; Joseph Metni. Editor: Suzanne Maguire; Taina Christiansen

Municipality of Beirut Head of Engineering Department: Jihad Bekaii. Hani Diab el-Arab; Maroun Abi Najem. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 1 Purpose of report Administrative boundaries and assessment zones Background and context

Methodology 3 Zoning

Visual inspection steps for surveyors PURPOSE OF REPORT Habitability based on signs of damage Work progress milestones

Findings 7 Coding of buildings for damage and habitability Assessment findings

Next steps 9

Annex 10 360 degree surveys Responding to requests for municipal assistance Rubble removal Photo gallery ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES AND ASSESSMENT ZONES AND ASSESSMENT BOUNDARIES ADMINISTRATIVE INTRODUCTION The Port of Beirut explosions of 4th August 2020, evacuation whilst also providing evidence for formulating situated within the boundaries of the Municipality of early recovery measures.2 Beirut (MoB), resulted in devastating loss of life, injury and the destruction of vast tracts of urban fabric within This report describes the method and early results of the municipality and beyond. an ongoing survey initiated by the MoB and conducted through a collaboration between the engineering One of several initiatives undertaken in response by department within MoB and UN-Habitat Lebanon in its the MoB and the Governor of Beirut1 was a rapid visual ongoing role of support to local authorities. Data was survey at the building level. The survey covered all gathered via field surveyors from several volunteering building types within a 2km radius of the blast, to gain an engineering consultancy firms from immediately after understanding of the extent of damage and particularly the blast until 11 September 2020. This report will be structural impacts, immediately identifying buildings updated with data from the remainder of the survey in

PURPOSE OF REPORT or building elements at risk of collapse and in need of due course.

The Port of Beirut is located within the boundaries of Two zones within MoB were identified for assessment MoB, which is itself divided into 13 cadastres. The MoB purposes, together covering around half the overall area spans just under 20 square kilometres in area, and is the of the municipality (Figure 3). heart of a larger continuously built up urban area reaching around 110 square kilometres in size (Figures 1 and 2).3

Beirut El Metn Akkar

North Baabda

Baalbek - Hermel

Aley

Beirut Figure 2 Explosion site in Municipality of Beirut / Beirut Governorate, showing Beirut continuously built-up area

Mount Lebanon Beirut Central District Ain El-Mraisse Mina El-Hosn Mdaouar Foncière Bekaa Foncière Marfa’ Foncière Foncière Bourj Saifi Hammoud Zqaq El-Blat Rmeil Foncière Foncière Ras Beirut Foncière Foncière Bachoura Foncière Nabatiyeh

South Achrafieh Msaitbé Foncière Foncière Mazraa Foncière Sinn El-Fil Dekouané

ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES AND ASSESSMENT ZONES AND ASSESSMENT BOUNDARIES ADMINISTRATIVE Furn Ech- Municipality of Beirut Chebbak

Chiyah Mkalles Figure 1 Beirut Governorate within Lebanon Figure 3 Assessment zones within Beirut Municipality

Municipality of Beirut / Lebanon boundary Beirut Governorate Zone 1 Beirut River Governorate Beirut continuously Zone 2 built-up area District Explosion site Cadasters

1 Lebanon is divided into eight governorates. The Municipality of Beirut acts also as an independent governorate. 2 The approach is complementary to other assessments conducted at household level, notably the Multisectoral Needs Assessment of the Lebanese Red Cross undertaken in conjunction with the Lebanese Armed Forces, and may be triangulated with these in due course. 3 UN-Habitat (forthcoming) “Beirut City Profile”. Beirut, UN-Habitat. 1 ZONING BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT BACKGROUND © UN-Habitat (2020)

The Port of Beirut explosions took place in close proximity to the city centre with its historic core, vibrant commercial districts and dense urban neighbourhoods, many of which are vulnerable. It resulted in over 200 deaths, 6,500 injured and 7 missing. The blast caused material damage to an estimated 77,000 apartments 7 212 6,500 located across 10,000 buildings within a 3km radius of MISSING DEAD INJURED the blast, impacting around 300,000 people.4 The entry point to more than 70% of Lebanon’s imports, the port blast has also affected the availability of goods in the country.

In the aftermath of the incident, there was a spontaneous 77,000 300,000 proliferation of public and private actors and associated DAMAGED RESIDENTS initiatives seeking to respond to needs on the ground, which underscored the need for an efficient and HOUSING AFFECTED rationalised response. With support from local and UNITS international entities, the municipalities remain at the centre of supporting public safety whilst working towards inclusive post-disaster planning for urban recovery. In this context, a building-level damage assessment was initiated to provide an evidence basis for guiding action, alongside rubble management efforts already ongoing on the ground. The MoB requested the support of UN- Habitat in conducting this assessment, aiming to come up with a general overview of the damages affected MoB’s neighbourhoods and to identify the most affected zones and buildings therein.

4 Shelter sector dashboard (12 September 2020). 2 METHODOLOGY ZONING

Beirut Central District

Mdaouar Foncière Aain El-Mraisse Foncière Mina El-Hosn Foncière Marfa’ Foncière

Ras Beyrouth Foncière

Zqaq El-Blat Saifi Rmeil Foncière Foncière Foncière Bourj Hammoud Bachoura Foncière

Msaitbé Foncière Achrafieh Foncière

Mazraa Foncière Sinn El-Fil

Cadasters Explosion site Zone 1 Zone 2 0 225 550 1100 m

Figure 4 Geographical distribution of zones for the buildings assessment

As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the affected areas Zone 2: Ras Beirut, Mazraa, Msaytbeh, Ain el Mraysseh within the MoB were divided into two broad zones for and Achrafieh 2. assessment purposes: Zone 1: Mdawar, Rmeil, Saifi, Achrafieh 1, Beirut Central The field assessments were launched on th the5 of District, Marfaa, Zokak el Blat, Bachoura and Minet el August. Assessment of Zone 1 was completed on the Hosn. 31st of August, while that for Zone 2 is still ongoing.

3 Based on the Applied Technology Council’s Field Manual buildings including buildings’ common areas appear (ATC-20-1),5 the following visual inspection steps were unsafe, advise residents to vacate immediately without adopted by surveyors: causing panic whilst also expediting notice of unsafety 1. Examine the building’s exterior envelope. to the municipality for taking action including in the 2. Examine the ground and the pavement around the form of serving evacuation notices. The municipality structure for fissures, bulged ground, or signs of slope then refers cases to the High Relief Council also to movement. humanitarian agencies working on the ground to assist 3. Enter the building whenever the structure is not clearly evacuated residents. visible from the outside, and in the case of suspected or confirmed problems that are non-structural (e.g. Surveying was conducted using the Geopal mobile collapsed ceiling or damaged partitions). However, application. do not enter the building if the structure is obviously unsound. 4. Assess the structure using the visual signs of damage 1 2 3 criteria. 5. Complete a Rapid Assessment Form (REF). Add any instances of restrictions placed on the use of the structure to the REF. Questionable buildings should be

flagged for a detailed assessment. MILESTONES PROGRESS WORK 6. Explain the significance of inhabitable or uninhabitable 4 5 6 structures to the building occupants if present. Where VISUAL INSPECTION STEPS FOR SURVEYORS STEPS INSPECTION VISUAL

Based on visual signs of damage, buildings were divided Damage limited to windows, doors and non-structural into those that were uninhabitable requiring evacuation items (that are not at risk of falling onto inhabitants). and those that remain habitable. Slight cracks in walls (load bearing and/or non-load bearing), and slight separation between load-bearing Uninhabitable / Requires evacuation and non-load bearing elements. Hairline non-diagonal cracks in horizontal reinforced Total or partial collapse of the building. concrete structural beams. Major damage and deformation/deviation from the Hairline cracks in load-bearing masonry walls, where vertical axis of load-bearing structure. the cracking covers less than 30 per cent of the wall Severe damage to the beam-column joints. area. Neighbouring structure in danger of collapse onto building. The load-bearing elements show any deformation. Floor panels displaced away from original supports. Load-bearing shear walls show any out-of-plane deformation. Significant cracks (>2mm) in load-bearing elements made of reinforced concrete. Significant cracks (>2mm) in load-bearing walls. Hairline cracks in load-bearing masonry walls, where the cracking covers more than 30 per cent of the wall area. © UN-Habitat (2020) Diagonal cracking or crumbling of the material in the walls between the windows or doors or similar elements of construction. Damage, significant distortion or collapse of the roof.

HABITABILITY BASED ON SIGNS OF DAMAGE ON SIGNS OF DAMAGE BASED HABITABILITY Slight damage, partial or complete sliding of the roof. Large items that could fall and cause harm, including glass, detached air conditioner units, water tanks, cladding, plaster, balconies.

Habitable / Does not require evacuation

Slight cracks in render (plaster) of the wall and/or © UN-Habitat (2020) ceiling.

5 http://www.atcouncil.org/pdfs/ATC45Rapid.pdf 4 5/08/2020 Division of areas affected by the blast into Zones 1 and 2. MoB engineering team mobilization. Survey template produced. Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) Consultants, Laceco, Advanced Construction Technology Services, 6/08/2020 Notre Dame University engagement in surveys. UN-Habitat engagement in refining and impoving surveys and digitizing data. UK SarAid engagement in rescue missions and assessments.

7/08/2020 Rafik Khoury & partners, M1 Group, Erga group and independent engineers’ engagement in surveys.

8/08/2020

WORK PROGRESS MILESTONES PROGRESS WORK International rescue teams’ engagement: France, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Germany.

12/08/2020 Training on conducting surveys by UK SarAid and UN- Habitat.

15/08/2020 Departure of all international teams. Number of Cumula�ve Ongoing assessments number of collected assessments

Number of assessments Cumulative number of collected assessments

Zone 1 completed / Zone 2 started 6,000

5,3675,367 5,239 5,119 4,997 5,000 4,871 4,686 4,502 4,502 4,319 4,136 4,000 3,953

3,420

3,000 2,853

2,419

2,000 1,940 1,616

1,228 1,000 784 586 567 533 406 444 479 434 128 388 324 219187 198 183 183 183 184 185 128 91 180 126 122 120 128 0

8/8/20208/9/2020 8/10/20208/11/20208/12/20208/13/20208/14/20208/15/20208/16/20208/17/20208/18/20208/19/20208/20/20208/21/20208/22/20208/23/20208/24/20208/25/20208/26/20208/27/20208/28/20208/29/20208/30/2020 Figure 5 Damage assessment progress

CODING OF BUILDINGS FOR DAMAGE AND HABITABILITY CODING OF BUILDINGS FOR DAMAGE

Total collapse6 Unsafe / evacuate Buildings that had experienced total structural failure. Buildings that are structurally unsound and require evacuation. CODING OF BUILDINGS FOR DAMAGE AND HABITABILITY CODING OF BUILDINGS FOR DAMAGE © UN-Habitat (2020) © UN-Habitat (2020)

Restricted use Safe / minor damage Buildings that were subjected to considerable damages Buildings that were subjected to minor defects, such as in their architectural components (falling architectural broken glass. Buildings that were not affected at all also elements that might affect public safety). fall under this category. ? © UN-Habitat (2020).

Unclassified © UN-Habitat (2020). Buildings that are not yet visually surveyed.

6 The category “Total collapse” was added to the ATC1-20 coding list by the Municipality of Beirut in coordination with the Order of Engineers and Architects and Khatib & Alami to adapt the assessment categories to building conditions observed post-Beirut Port explosions. 7 1100 m Bourj Hammoud Sinn El-Fil 550 Mdaouar Foncière 225 ASSESSMENT FINDINGS ASSESSMENT 0 Rmeil Foncière Achrafieh Foncière Achrafieh Vacant land Unsurveyed Saifi Foncière Saifi Safe / minor damage Safe Unclassified Marfa’ Foncière Mazraa Foncière Mazraa Bachoura Foncière Bachoura Beirut Central District Beirut Central Zqaq El-Blat Foncière Zqaq Unsafe / evacuate Unsafe Restriced use Mina El-Hosn Foncière Msaitbé Foncière Detailed map showing damage categories of assessed plots as at 5 September 2020. Total collapse Total Explosion site Aain El-Mraisse Foncière Aain El-Mraisse Ras Beyrouth Foncière Ras Beyrouth Figure 6 Figure 8 % 1%

Ongoing claims Processed claims

Land Red (unsafe/evacuate) Yellow (restriced use) Green (inspected) Total collapse No decision taken

Total collapse Restricted use Building Damage Assessment Assessment 0.1% 4.7% Category Count %

Total collapse 7 0.1 Unsafe / evacuate 2.0% Unsafe / evacuate 208 2.0

Restricted use 483 4.7

Safe / minor damage 6,822 66.4 Unclassified 21.8% Vacant plot 524 5.1

Unclassified 2,236 21.8 Vacant plot Safe / minor damage Total 10,280 100 5.1% 66.4%

Table 1 Number of assessed buildings by category Figure 7 Percentage of assessed buildings by category

Beirut Central District

Mdaouar Ain El-Mraisse Foncière Mina El-Hosn Foncière Marfa’ Foncière Foncière Ras Beirut Foncière Zqaq El-Blat Saifi Rmeil Foncière Foncière Foncière

Msaitbé Foncière Bachoura Achrafieh Foncière Foncière

Mazraa Beirut Governorate Assessed area Port area Foncière boundary

Explosion site 0 550 1100 2200 m High impact Low impact

Figure 8 Radius of impact of explosion Figure 9 Schematic section AA

NEXT STEPS The findings of the Beirut Municipality Rapid Building-level Damage Assessment serves to inform the ongoing blast response, recovery and reconstruction of the impacted areas. The data is intended to contribute to guiding the prioritization of interventions, highlighting the most affected areas within Beirut administrative boundaries and pinpointing structurally unsound buildings and the households whose shelters and livelihoods have been impacted as a result. The assessment can be used in complement to other assessments, and notably the household level Multisectoral Needs Assessment of the Lebanese Red Cross undertaken in conjunction with the Lebanese Armed Forces and may be triangulated with these in due course. Data from the assessment can be accessed through the Municipality of Beirut by contacting: [email protected] or +961 71 028 977.

9 ANNEX

Other municipal services and related initiatives undertaken in response to the blast are outlined below.

MoB worked with XYZ Survey Lebanon to produce reference in highlighting the amount of damage caused 360-degree street view surveys along Gemmayzeh and by the explosion and to visually measure the rehabilitation Mar Mekhayel streets for the purpose of serving as a efforts at a later stage. RUBBLE REMOVAL DEGREE SURVEYS DEGREE 360 360 Survey completed by XYZ Survey Lebanon

On a daily basis, the Engineering Department at the PROCESSED MoB and UN-Habitat received requests for assistance ONGOING or ‘claims’ from residents affected by the Beirut Port blast. As per the availability of resources, 92% of received claims have been addressed, with 8% are still ongoing. Claims pertain to issues such as electric hazards, water disconnection, dangerous and8% at risk of collapse 2% 8% 2% building elements, among others. Upon receipt of a claim, municipal engineers are immediately mobilized to investigate and respond to the reported threat. Ongoing claims Processed claims Ongoing claims Processed claims

Claims No threat Threat identified and addressed

200 188 180

160

140 GALLERY PHOTO

120 115

100

80 61 60 54 46 40 31 23 20 20 1615 17 13 11 8 3 3 4 2 6 4 6 3 2 7 5 3 3 2

RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FOR MUNICIPAL ASSISTANCE FOR MUNICIPAL REQUESTS TO RESPONDING 1 1 1 1 1 0

Figure 10 Claims by cadasters Claims No threat Threat iden�ﬁed and addressed 10 The MoB supported UN-Habitat with its rubble and debris removal initiative which took place accross all MIXED RUBBLE GLASS public domains surrounding the affected buildings in collaboration with several unions of municipalities, municipalities, private contractors, and both local and international NGOs. The rubble was later disposed of in plot Mdawar 1343 owned by the MoB in Karantina area. 84% 16% RUBBLE REMOVAL

A better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world

@UNHABITATLB

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAM E: [email protected] T: +961 1 985484 www.unhabitat.org/Lebanon

@BEIRUTMUNICIPALITY @CITY.OF.BEIRUT @CITYOFBEIRUT

MUNICIPALITY OF BEIRUT E: [email protected] T: +961 1 987979 www.beirut.gov.lb