The Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland is preparing to highlight a heroic individual at an upcoming webinar.

During the event on 10 November, ICE will celebrate Joe, a Scotland-based engineer who helped his compatriots in the aftermath of August's explosion in Lebanon.

Following the devastating explosion - which left over 200 people dead, 6,500 injured and an estimated 300,000 people homeless, Joe Bilan, 28, travelled to his home country to join several volunteer groups, including 'Frontline Engineers', working alongside the UN and the Lebanese Army to carry out structural inspections.

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Speaking ahead of the event, Joe said: "My parents and I moved to Scotland in 2002, due to persecution. When the explosion happened, the news really hit home with me and which is why, without hesitation, I decided to go and help.

"It was immediately obvious that there were many structural problems with people's homes which meant they had to leave immediately. However, many simply did not want to leave, and it was a very delicate process trying to persuade them.

"There was also a time constraint – we had to investigate every home within a three-mile radius of the blast in just 15 days ahead of the torrential rain season."

ICE Scotland Director, Hannah Smith, added: "Every day civil engineers across the world are involved in work which has life-saving and life-changing effects. However, all too often this work in unseen and unrecognised.

"That is why we are so grateful to Joe for sharing his experiences and hope it will be a small reminder of the profound impact our civil engineers have in the world around us."

(CM)