Lebanon: international community agrees on aid worth 250 million euros

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During the videoconference held on Sunday, August 9, the countries determined to come to the aid of Lebanon after the explosion which devastated Beirut agreed that this support should be monitored by the UN and provided in full transparency to the Lebanese.

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About thirty representatives of countries wishing to come to the aid of Lebanon gathered in the afternoon of Sunday, August 9 for a videoconference organized jointly by France and by the United Nations (UN). The objective was to set the framework for the aid of the international community in Lebanon, ravaged by an economic crisis and by the terrible explosion which occurred Tuesday in Beirut and which left at least 158 ​​dead and 6,000 injured.

"Efficiency and transparency"

At the end of this videoconference, in which French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump participated in particular, the donor countries delivered a statement about their support: “  The participants agreed that their assistance should (.. .) be well coordinated under the aegis of the United Nations and provided directly to the Lebanese population, with the maximum efficiency and transparency.  "

Lebanon's future is being played out now.

While Michel Aoun, the Lebanese President, ruled out any international investigation , donor countries insisted on the need for an " impartial, credible and independent  " investigation  into the circumstances which led to the deadly explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which had been stored for six years at the port of Beirut.

Aid of 252.7 million euros

In total, the international community committed to supporting Lebanon has agreed to aid worth 252.7 million euros. Thirty million euros will come from France, the European Union will provide more than double. This aid is already underway, and will subsequently be delivered under UN coordination, and without conditions. On the other hand, for assistance in the economic and financial reconstruction of the country, as a second step, the Lebanese authorities will have to undertake to initiate the reforms demanded by the population. 

France - whose contribution therefore amounts to 30 million euros - will send more than 18 tonnes of medical aid and nearly 700 tonnes of food aid. The Tonnerre helicopter carrier, equipped with a hospital and with 200 tonnes of flour and dairy and infant products on board, is going to set sail in the evening from Toulon.

The European Commission has in fact announced that additional aid of 30 million euros will be immediately put on the table to provide
emergency aid to Lebanon. This sum is added to the 33 million already
announced Thursday. The use of these funds "  will be subject to strict control  ".

Emergency humanitarian aid has been evaluated by the UN at 116 million euros and concerns health, food and the rehabilitation of buildings and infrastructure. Take the example of schools, 120 establishments need to be repaired. And 300,000 people need assistance with housing.

Finally, the participants officially offered their help to Lebanon for an impartial, credible and independent investigation into the explosions of August 4. 

Trump calls for ' transparent  ' investigation  in Lebanon

The White House said President Donald Trump has "  reaffirmed that the United States is ready and willing to continue to provide assistance to the people of Lebanon  " but also "  urged the Lebanese government to conduct a full investigation and transparent, for which the United States is ready to help  ”.

On Sunday, new clashes between angry protesters and Lebanese security forces broke out. Earlier, the Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad, announced her resignation . “  I apologize to the Lebanese, we were unable to meet their expectations,  ” she said in a brief televised address.

► To read also: Lebanon: the great demonstration in Beirut galvanized the protesters

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• Lebanon
• France
• United States
• Emmanuel Macron
• Donald trump
• UN

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