REPORTAGE
Emmanuel Macron calls on the international community to "act quickly" to help Lebanon heal its wounds, after the double explosion which devastated its capital. During a videoconference meeting, bringing together the partners of the Cedar country to provide him with emergency assistance, the French president also warned against "violence and chaos", as anger roars at a ruling class discredited. In Beirut, the donors' conference, and the words of Emmanuel Macron, were followed closely by the Lebanese, whose expectations are many.
"We need international help!"
"The objective today is to act quickly and efficiently and to coordinate our aid on the ground to respond very concretely, in the coming days and weeks, to the needs of the population of Beirut". The words of the French head of state echoed on the small television set installed by Jean on his Beirut terrace. His old television set, like the windows in his house, did not withstand the explosion
While Emmanuel Macron lists the needs for Lebanon including health, food, schools, and housing, Manuel, a friend of Jean reacts: "Emmanuel Macron's speech is very important, we need international aid, without that we will not be able to recover. We must have hope, that is all we have left in this country. "
According to the French president, to act effectively, the Lebanese authorities must also launch political and economic reforms. "The management of the Lebanese state was badly done, with a clean and clear corruption", launches Joseph. "Today, it's like at school: if you don't do your job, we have the stick and we won't give you money!"
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Many contributions
On Sunday, several countries unveiled their contribution to this aid plan. Paris, which has set up an air and sea bridge, will be able to send more than 18 tonnes of medical aid and nearly 700 tonnes of food aid. France also dispatched reconstruction materials and experts to identify the causes of the disaster. On the European Union side, new funding of 30 million euros was announced "to meet the most pressing needs" of the inhabitants of Beirut, in addition to the 33 million already announced Thursday.
As for the Gulf countries, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, announced emergency aid of $ 50 million and indicated that the contribution "to the reconstruction of Beirut" would be fixed ". in the coming days ". Kuwait has released about $ 40 million to him.
Without giving any figures, Donald Trump announced that the United States was "keen to continue providing aid to the Lebanese people", and the United Kingdom will provide aid of 20 million pounds, in addition to the five already announced for emergency support, notably via the British Red Cross.
This international aid is eagerly awaited by the Lebanese population. Only one is struggling to pass: that of Israel, the Hebrew state still officially in a state of war with Lebanon. "The needs are there", admits another Beirut, at the microphone of Europe 1. "But not until accepting what comes from the enemy".