UN launches appeal to support Lebanon recovery from blast
Beirut: The United Nations and humanitarian partners on Friday launched an appeal worth US$565 million (FJ$1.2bn) to help Lebanon move from immediate life-saving humanitarian relief following the Beirut explosion toward long-term recovery.
The appeal seeks funds for humanitarian partners to help people in need in Lebanon by targeting food security, health, shelter and education, according to a “flash appeal” by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The funds will be used to provide the immediate delivery of hot meals and food rations and deliveries to stabilise the national grain supply; to help rehabilitate damaged health facilities and provide trauma kits and essential medications; to provide cash for shelter for displaced families and to repair common building areas and facilities that were affected by the blast; to repair schools and provide educational supplies and psychological support for children.
The appeal covers the first two phases of what will be a threephase response to the explosion. The immediate humanitarian response, which has been swift and wide-ranging, is the first phase. It must quickly move into the second phase: recovery and reconstruction, which will cost billions of dollars and require a mix of public and private finance.
The third phase is about responding to Lebanon’s pre-existing socioeconomic crisis which is already exacerbated by COVID-19, according to OCHA.
The massive August 4 blast at the port of Beirut came as Lebanon faces a multi-faceted crisis.
In recent months, economic contraction, increasing poverty, and rising prices have compounded needs among Lebanese and nonLebanese communities, including the large Syrian and Palestine refugee populations.