How the world responded to the disaster
From emergency workers and medical equipment to field hospitals, countries dispatch urgent aid to Lebanon
Rescue workers struggling to treat thousands of people wounded in enormous explosions that rocked Beirut turned their attention yesterday to the desperate search for survivors, as the world rallied in solidarity with Lebanon and rushed aid and emergency workers to the devastated city.
France sent three planes to Beirut yesterday with rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic, and said it will be followed by a visit today by President Emmanuel Macron to the city. Two French military planes arrived in the Lebanese capital late afternoon with 55 search and rescue personnel on board, it said. A dozen emergency personnel will also be sent to Beirut shortly “to reinforce hospitals in the Lebanese capital,” said the presidency.
France at the forefront
Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later said a third, private humanitarian plane will leave from Marseille in the south of France with teams of medical workers who would be “immediately operational”.
On Thursday, Macron will travel to Beirut to “meet all political actors”, including Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the Elysee announced.
Le Drian said France will continue mobilising assistance as needed. “For now, it is time to ensure international solidarity” with Lebanon, he told the LCI broadcaster, pointing out that food aid will be high on the list as the blast in the port of Beirut had destroyed crucial wheat silos.
Kuwait, meanwhile, delivered medical aid and other essentials, while Russia’s emergencies ministries said it was sending five planes carrying medical equipment, a field hospital and medical personnel.
Field hospitals
Jordan said a military field hospital including all necessary personnel will be dispatched, while Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded. Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek said Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut. Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities “with all means at its disposal.”
PM Hassan Diab’s appeal
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, reiterated his appeal to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: “We are witnessing a real catastrophe.”
While Lebanon’s secondbiggest port in Tripoli has been designated as the alternative, authorities are worried how the import-dependent country will bring in badly needed food, medical supplies and other goods. Beirut’s hospitals are also overwhelmed, and some were severely damaged in the blast. Some patients are being treated in parking lots and the health minister said field hospitals were being set up.
Eary findings
Initial investigations into the blast indicate years of inaction and negligence over the storage of highly explosive material. The prime minister and presidency have said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures.