Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 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

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×